Salisbury District Hospital has unveiled the Imber Ward, a new facility designed to expand capacity for elderly care patients.
The ward, housed in the Elizabeth Building—named in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II—adds 24 beds in a mix of four-bed bays and private rooms.
The £14 million project, partially funded by the hospital’s charity, the Stars Appeal, is the hospital’s most significant capital development in nearly two decades.
A key feature of the ward’s design is its dementia-friendly approach, incorporating flooring and wall solutions aimed at enhancing safety and ease of navigation.
Bathrooms and wet rooms have been fitted with materials designed to reduce fall risks and maintain hygiene standards
Products from Altro, a UK-based manufacturer specialising in flooring and wall cladding, have been used throughout the ward.
The flooring choices prioritise slip resistance and hygiene, while the walls feature customisable, biophilic designs inspired by local landscapes.
Bathrooms and wet rooms have been fitted with materials designed to reduce fall risks and maintain hygiene standards.
Lesley Self, ArtCare Projects Officer at Salisbury District Hospital, and Julia Gregory from the Estates Capital Projects Team led the design efforts, working with patients, families, and hospital staff to create an environment tailored to the needs of elderly patients.
The interior design reflects the changing seasons and incorporates images of the local area
The interior design reflects the changing seasons and incorporates images of the local area, helping patients with wayfinding and creating a more familiar, calming setting.
“Patients may experience disorientation, so incorporating wayfinding into the design was essential,” said Self. “It was also important to help staff understand how the design supports patient care and how they can take ownership of these spaces.”
The additional beds in Imber Ward are expected to support the hospital’s elective recovery programme by freeing up surgical beds for procedures such as day surgery.
The flooring choices prioritise slip resistance and hygiene
The expansion aims to improve patient flow and reduce pressure on existing resources.
Salisbury District Hospital has a history of using Altro products in its clinical environments due to their durability and hygiene benefits. “These materials are in place for at least 20 years, so they need to be adaptable and resilient,” Self noted.
The project highlights the hospital’s ongoing efforts to improve patient care through thoughtful design and infrastructure investment.
Top image: Salisbury Hospital-Altro Wood-Operetta-Digiclad Custom