A new way to find your way around Derriford Hospital
Derriford Hospital is a large building with a main entrance on level 6 and other entrances on levels 2,3, 4 & 5. The building has evolved over the years with many additions and extensions meaning that not all stairs and lifts lead to all destinations. This can make it difficult for hospital users to reach their destinations quickly and easily adding unnecessary stress to what can already be a worrying time for patients and visitors.
Zest led a major review of existing internal and external signage together with associated patient literature to see how matters could be improved. The review included talking to hospital users, local community and special interest groups, visiting other hospitals, talking to major signage designers and independent wayfinding consultants. The key element that emerged was the need to direct patients to the correct stairs and lifts to reach their destination and the clearest way to do this was a scheme based on zones.
Following the review key elements of the new scheme were established and Masson Seeley one of the most experienced providers of signage in a health care environment, were appointed to work with us on developing the new Trust wayfinding scheme.
Internal Signage – Key Elements
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Vertical zoning based around lifts and stairs
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Colour coding of the different zones
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Icons to be used to both provide an alternative zone identity for those who find it difficult to identify colours, it was decided to use strong geometric icons as these are cross cultural, easy to both describe and draw, and reproduce well in black and white
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Clearly marked levels particularly at entrances, in stairwells and lifts lobbies
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Site maps located at entrances and key points in the hospital, a decision was taken by the Trust to commission floor plans uncluttered with advertising
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Site maps to include a guide on to use the zoning scheme works this will reduce the need for leaflets and supporting literature
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Patient appointment letters to include zone references
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New signs to be easily, quickly and inexpensively updated
External Signage – Key Elements
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Large Scale maps to be situated at pay points
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Pedestrian routes to be signed as well as road traffic routes
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Reduce clusters of individual signage
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New signs to be able to be easily, quickly and inexpensively updated
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Road markings and speed limit signs to be reviewed and repainted
