Recently Darcy and Kate met with Megan Curran, the Executive Director of Critical Care at North Canberra Hospital. We took a tour around the Emergency Department (ED) and discussed the priorities and space constraints, and some of the problem areas for consumers in the North Canberra ED.
It was great to be able to draw on work we have previously done in other infrastructure projects. We’ve learnt a lot over the years about people’s needs when visiting the ED, and we’ve also documented consumer input on waiting spaces more generally in the hospital setting. On this occasion, we provided advice on improvements for privacy, acoustics, signage, health literacy and inclusion measures, amenities, areas for family and carers, children and people with low sensory needs.
In the long term there will be a new Emergency Department on the North Canberra Hospital site. In the short-medium term, we hope consumers can participate in design work to make the current Emergency Department more comfortable and functional for consumers and staff too.
If you would like to participate in health infrastructure work with HCCA or have some thoughts to share about health facility design, please email [email protected]. | 
