Reacting to new guidance that states that new hospitals in England must set aside a minimum amount of space for “staff welfare” for the first time, Professor Rowan Parks, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh said
"Staff need physical spaces in which to decompress and socialise in, but we have seen a constant erosion in such spaces over recent years.
"So we are delighted that these areas will have to make up at least 6 per cent of the total internal footprint of any new hospital.
"The NHP's guidance will mean that staff break rooms will have to be around 60 per cent larger than current standards, having positive benefits such as reducing the number of users per shower from 20 to 10. “Calm rooms” will also be a requirement for the first time.
"The new guidance also states that all staff amenities, including car parks, bike stores, canteens and outside space should be no more than an eight-minute walk from where staff work in the hospital. Other areas, such as a calm space, prayer room, changing room and sleep space should be within three minutes, while staff should have a desk, chair, window, water fountain and toilet no more than one minute away.
"All of these will have positive benefits for the working environment and ability of clinicians to build the strong, personal relationships that are the basis of effective team working."