Chorley and South Ribble Hospital
Day Case Eye unit

The new unit includes dedicated outpatient and diagnostic facilities, alongside three additional theatres, enhancing the hospital’s capacity to treat patients with eye conditions.

On the first floor, patients enter from the hospital street and move clockwise through diagnostic testing areas, then to a second, larger sub-waiting area, before finally reaching the consultation and treatment rooms. The design also includes a separate paediatric department, which can operate independently or integrate with the adult outpatient services as needed, providing flexibility in clinic management.

The second floor houses three theatres—two dedicated to ophthalmic surgery and a third for other day-case surgeries. Patients are guided seamlessly from admission through to changing areas and directly into the theatres, supported by four post-anaesthetic care unit (PACU) bays and eight second stage recovery bays, ensuring a smooth and efficient surgical process.

Understanding the needs of visually impaired patients, the design team focused on clear and intuitive wayfinding. Collaborating with user groups, they developed a color-coded zoning strategy that extended through interior design, artwork, signage, furniture, and department branding, all contributing to a calm and navigable environment.