Healthcare in the 21st Century presents huge challenges and opportunities.
The rapid advances and convergence of medical science and information technology have provided us with the tools for system and service redesign, and have transformed diagnosis and treatment.
The patient has to find design understandable, accessible, respectful and well organised – a compassionate system in which patient and family are partners with the healthcare profession in their own health and wellbeing
This, in turn, has redefined building typologies.
Providing an interdisciplinary forum for 400 policy advisors, researchers, and practitioners from around the globe, the third annual European Healthcare Design Congress & Exhibition 2017 will be held on 11–14 June at the Royal College of Physicians in London.
Knowledge sharing
Organised by Architects for Health and SALUS Global Knowledge Exchange, in collaboration with the Union of International Architects Public Health Group (UIA-PHG) and the Global University Program in Healthcare Architecture, the congress adopts a whole-system approach to redesigning European health systems through the exchange of knowledge, research, and best practice.
After receiving a record number of submissions from a call for papers, this year’s conference will be split into streams on each day: the Art of Care; Healthy Ageing; Science, Technology and Innovation; and Strategic Design, Planning and Asset Development on Day One; and Care in the Community; Quality Improvement; Sustainable Development; and Clinicians for Design on Day Two.
More time has also been built in for discussion and there will also be a lunchtime workshop on each day, focusing on how design methodologies and creative design thinking can facilitate innovative solutions for today’s healthcare challenges.
Speakers will include international healthcare experts such as Daniel Glaser, director of the Science Gallery, King’s College London; Vivienne Parry, head of engagement at Genomics England; Agnes Couffinhal, senior economist at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; and Louise Park, associate director of Ipsos Mori.
Setting benchmarks
In addition to a full two-day conference programme, the event will host a welcome drinks reception, an exhibition of the latest design and technology solutions, and study tours of the UK’s most-innovative new health facilities.
On the preceding day to the congress, the UIA-PHG, and the Global University Program in Healthcare Architecture will host a seminar and dinner for members.
And the congress will close with a ceremony to present the second European Healthcare Design Awards, which recognise design excellence in the global healthcare environment.
With many moving parts, the challenge is to design an integrated care system that is inclusive, affordable and adaptive
Marc Sansom, director of SALUS Global Knowledge Exchange, said: “Great design is transformative.
“With many moving parts, the challenge is to design an integrated care system that is inclusive, affordable and adaptive.
“The patient has to find it understandable, accessible, respectful and well organised – a compassionate system in which patient and family are partners with the healthcare profession in their own health and wellbeing.”