Oxford Method Research Programme

Conclusions

 

Oxford Method Hospitals have provided very high quality clinical space for approximately 30 years in many cases.
The thorough, rational approach to their initial design has given them a very long life in service and allowed many of them to survive remodelling and change of use.
The units are generally in central locations on hospital sites and for that reason are likely candidates for future changes of use.
They are however threatened by:

• lack of commitment/poor maintenance
• new forms of healthcare finding (PFI etc)
• large scale estate rationalisation exercises
• rising standards in building technology (including anxiety over asbestos content)

As can be seen from the study it is possible to fulfil many of the aspirations set out in the literature as exemplars of current and future best practice in healthcare design.
However, Hospital Administrators and Estates Directors should take note that the maximum benefit will be gained from remodelling only if there is a realisation that bed numbers in these particular buildings will be reduced as a result of the project.
This may not be the disadvantage it at first seems if it is conceded that other new buildings on the estate will provide the additional bed capacity lost by Oxford Method improvement projects.
This author feels that the retention of clinical space at the very heart of hospital estates demands that the design be of the highest order to enable the units to have the longest possible future ahead and thus the lowest cost in service.