Hospital is also a Home

There are several things which constitute a hospital to become a 'home away from home' to those who visit the hospital or stay in the hospital.

One of my particular interests has been to photograph the entrance to the hospitals I have been to. This picture, displaying the entrance to Children's hospital at Westmead, Sydney, evoked much interest in me. The entrance has a wooded appearance, with a lawn on one side, with much of the buildings and structures associated with the hospital, almost given a subdued appearance from outside. The children's play area and the beautifully set out arrangements for children to move about are striking at the entrance. There is sense of space and openness, which is what would make children comfortable. I like the way the machines, walls, roof, etc are made to appear like being in a homely setting by decorating them and making the corridors, parent's waiting areas, play rooms, etc appear to be places waiting for children.

It is now the fourth time I am engaged in setting up a Child Development Centre, since the first one in 1983. Although it is difficult to get full approval from the hospital planners for the 'wild' ideas  to create a homely feel at the Centre, where children and parents spend long hours each day, I receive a warm appreciation for some of the concepts we are experimenting with,  in the place where I am now involved in setting up the CDC.   

The emphasis in a hospital is often to create space for a need and economize the use of space to make the hospital financially viable. Ever since this has become a compelling influence, we come across hospital planning becoming greatly influenced by cost effectiveness. This results in buildings getting squeezed into every space available and the built in space getting occupied compromising on aesthetics, convenience, and open spaces.

Although the hospitality we offer to patients in the hospital is a crucial issue to make patients feel at home, let me suggest that the physical ambience with lawns, play areas, large waiting areas, meeting points, and less intimidating setting where patients come for procedures, etc are critical details that would influence the mood and well being of patients. I wonder whether there will be greater attention to the colour of paints we use inside and outside the hospital buildings to make the buildings look more inviting! I wish, we can get rid of the white coats which professionals often wear! I wish there will be piped in music and live music sometimes that can liven up the place and people! A hospital is a place to promote recovery. We need to define the components that make this process of recovery more natural!  

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)