Through the looking glass

摘要

The UK's National Health Service is currently undergoing a large-scale refurbishment and new build programme to bring its aging infrastructure and facilities into the twenty-first century. Nearly a fifth of the NHS estate was built before the health service was formed in 1948 and there are even wards in buildings that date back to the 1700s.1 As a result, 17% of the NHS estate that is occupied has been deemed as not functionally suitable for use. The current modernisation programme undertaken by the NHS is allowing it to tackle several healthcare issues by using new products, smarter materials and better design. Modern, fit-for-purpose design is at the forefront of new NHS building and refurbishment, and it is helping to tackle issues such hospital acquired infections (HAIs). The NHS has recently made it a key priority to reduce the levels of HAIs in its facilities. The risk of catching an HAI is relatively small, but it is thought that at any given time approximately 8% of hospital patients can have an HAI.