Women and Children Lend a Hand in Designing Their New Hospital

The new Children's Hospital of Western Ontario and Grace Donnelly Women's Health Pavilion, at London Health Sciences Centre’s Victoria Hospital site, will be one of a kind in Canada, meeting the unique health care needs of women and children in one facility.

Also one of a kind is the methodology used to design the 10-storey tower.

“We took a very bottom-up approach, creating area design teams made up of children, parents, women, staff, leaders, administrators and the architects,” explains Ellen Rosen, Integrated Vice President, Women & Children’s Services. “Interestingly enough, some our most invaluable hospital site surveys across North America, were the ones that clearly illustrated ‘what not to do’, which likely resulted because of a failure to understand staff and patient needs.”

The special wishes and needs of children were most certainly taken into consideration in the physical design of the building.

In addition to area design teams of key stakeholders, front-line staff and architects, essential information was gleaned through special focus groups made up of children of all ages as well as women who had given birth at both LHSC and SJHC in the past two years.

With the help of teachers from the Thames Valley District School Board, and the Children’s Health Foundation, children and youth were invited to give feedback on how they perceive hospitals and offer input into what would make them feel at home during their hospital stay.

As architects and planners looked on, teachers and LHSC Child Life Specialists led the children through a variety of activities that brought out a myriad of ideas and opinions.

The comments ranged from “Can we have a petting zoo?” and “It should smell better – like cookies” to requests for fish and greenery, bringing home the point that children don’t want a traditional hospital atmosphere.

Not surprisingly, the women told us that the look and feel of the birthing rooms was more important while on a prenatal tour than when in labour. The ambience was more important for their partners and should have space for a couch so that rests were made more comfortable during the long hours. The space for care after the birth was very important and should be restful and convey warmth and care.

Seeking input upfront is in keeping with a core goal of the Children’s Care Program—that of caring for kids so as not to affect their normal growth and development, to the greatest extent possible.

“In everything we do here, whether it is designing space or administering care,” says Ellen Rosen, “we have to remember that our little patients are developing human beings. By effectively meeting their needs at the level they’re at today, we can support and help them on their journey to become the healthy, contributing citizens of tomorrow.”

For more information:
Children's Hospital of Western Ontario