Environments of cancer care: Velindre NHS Trust

Bellamy, Annie

Abstract

This report was commissioned and developed with Velindre University NHS Trust as part of the design development of the new Velindre Cancer Centre.

The World Health Organisation, WHO states that ‘cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, or nearly one in six deaths’1 and it is likely that many of the population have been affected by or knows someone who has been affected by the impact of a cancer diagnosis. The general hospital, was, and remains, a place of acute medical care that focuses its efforts on diagnostic and restorative care rather than the holistic care someone may require when living with a diagnosis of cancer. An admission or visit to a hospital may feel incredibly daunting and perhaps even summon feelings of fear or anxiety – ‘care settings, as currently configured, are notoriously disorienting, anxiety-inducing, and in some ways dangerous for physical, psychological, and existential health’.2 The stereotypical architectural environment of wipe clean surfaces and fluorescent lighting projects a sense of the institutional that anonymises patients or visitor’s condition and/or sense of self as another number on a ward or corridor amongst many other medical conditions. The creation of specialist cancer diagnostic and treatment centres are intended to provide the dedicated and focus care that those suffering from cancer need, and though may share many similar functions of an acute hospital, aspire to counteract negative experiences of on-going care as may be needed by those affected by cancer. As custodians of the built environment, architecture and design professionals have an ethical responsibility to ensure that the places and spaces that are designed for the care of those that are ill are not only respectful of the situations of the occupiers - whether staff, patients, or visitors -but also can express delight and create positive impact on well-being and health outcomes.

• Report Type: Consultancy Report
• Deposit Date: Jun 27, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 29, 2023
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10891291