Evaluation of the King's Fund's Enhancing the Healing Environment Programme: Improving the Patient Experience

by Susan Francis

This report is based on the evaluation of three cohorts of NHS acute trusts across London that have taken part in the 'Enhancing the Healing Environment' initiative, a nurse-led programme of improvements to the design of the hospital environment with regards to its impact upon patient and staff wellbeing. The report reviews some of the varied projects undertaken and includes three case studies a landscaped garden in Kingston Hospital NHS Trust on a main route through the hospital site; an integrated interior design and artwork project undertaken as part of a major refurbishment of the A&E department at St George's Hospital; and integrated art and design project in a clinic waiting space at Hammersmith Hospital. The programme has now been extended to mental health trusts and a number of primary care trusts in London, and in partnership with NHS Estates, it will be extended across England in 2004.

Hardcover

First published December 1, 2003