Inclusive Healthcare Design; guidance and case study

[edit] Designing with dementia in mind

The Gerflor & Gradus Inclusive Healthcare Design brochure is a comprehensive resource tailored for professionals shaping environments for ageing and dementia care. Packed with practical insights, it translates complex guidance BS 8300, Approved Document M, and Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) best practice into actionable design strategies.

Architectural Technologists will find LRV contrast specifications across flooring, walls, doors, trims and accessories, empowering them to design safer, more intuitive spaces that meet regulatory benchmarks while enhancing user experience.

Highlights include DSDC-accredited product listings, tonal contrast charts for adjacent surfaces, and expert guidance on avoiding reflective or patterned materials that may confuse occupants with dementia. From impervious carpets with noise-reducing properties to hygenic wall cladding and slip-resistant stair edgings, each solution combines functionality, safety, and aesthetic coherence.

With a quick guide detailing more than 300 product options rated for dementia inclusive environments, this brochure is a must-download for Technologists who want to stay ahead of compliance requirements, support healthcare outcomes, and elevate design. It's not just about choosing finishes, it's about designing spaces that empower independence, reduce risk, and foster dignity.

The guide can be downloaded via this link "Inclusive Healthcare Design. For Dementia & Ageing Environments"

[edit] St George’s Health and Wellbeing Hub

The brand-new St George’s Health and Wellbeing Hub in Hornchurch, Essex, brings together a wide range of health and care services under one roof.

To meet the high standards required for such a busy facility, over 5,000m2 of world class flooring products from international interiors specialists Gerflor was specified, alongside Gradus entrance matting and stair nosing’s as a complete solution for the healthcare community building.

Gerflor’s notable contribution to the project included their highly specialised Mipolam EL7 permanent dissipative flooring along with Taralay Impression Compact heterogeneous floor coverings, as well as Tarasafe Ultra Safety Vinyl. These innovative products were installed throughout the building, covering areas such as clinical spaces, consulting rooms, the dialysis, and renal units, as well as toilets, bathrooms, showers, corridors, and stairs.

Entrance flooring and stair safety were also a key consideration for the project, to ensure the safety and well-being of patients, visitors, and staff. To compliment the specification and provide a complete solution to the End User, Gradus supplied their Mat-in-A-Box entrance matting system and a range of XT stair nosings. The St George’s Health and Wellbeing Hub houses a GP practice, outpatient, and mental health services, and provides access to blood tests, MRI, X-ray, CT, and ultrasound scans. The modern, purpose-built facility operates seven days a week and also includes children’s and community services, educational spaces, a community café, and a dementia-friendly garden. Planning and funding were made possible through a collaborative effort involving health and care partners over several years. The project received planning approval from Havering Council in 2022 and was backed by £17 million in government funding alongside £21 million from North East London partners.

Key to this iconic project was the need for a comprehensive range of flooring solutions that would future proof the facility for many years to come. St George’s Hub had stringent requirements for finishes that would deliver outstanding durability, optimum hygienic, and safety. Flooring was a critical component, and in this case, Gerflor and Gradus were able to deliver a complete solution tailored to the technical and safety requirements of the specification, whilst meeting the aesthetic needs for the Trust.

Chris Pursey, Gerflor Key Account Manager for Healthcare, recalled the early stages of involvement:

"Nicola Lucas of Northeast London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) approached us after being shown a vinyl flooring option that looked far too clinical. After several meetings, both on-site and via Teams, we presented a range of finishes tailored to each area, this included woodeffect designs for corridors and communal spaces, and safety flooring for clinical zones. Once the Trust was satisfied with the proposal, we worked in collaboration with the Flooring Contractor to see the project through."

The project success was accelerated with the involvement of Loughton Contracts, specialists in major commercial flooring contracts, who brought their extensive expertise to the project. With over 30 years of experience and rigorous adherence to ISO management systems, they ensured a seamless delivery. They worked in harmony with both the Trust, Gerflor and Gradus to bring the design vision to life and perfectly executed the project on time and to budget.

Dr John O’ Moore, GP Partner at St George’s Country Park Surgery, which moved from its previous Upminster Bridge location, said:

"We were excited to be the first service to open at the hub. After 20 years at our old site, the move into this purpose-built premises has allowed us to offer a more spacious and integrated environment for our patients. We are pleased with the interior finish which is welcoming and comforting for the local community users of this much needed Healthcare Hub."

The hub’s design also reflects a commitment to community wellbeing, providing spaces for voluntary and community groups, a multi-purpose education centre, and a communal garden designed with dementia-friendly features.

Chris Pursey concluded:

"This project is a remarkable example of Gerflor and Gradus working together in partnership to deliver a full, specification-led solution that meets all the performance criteria required by the Trust and its Users. "

The article appears on the CIAT news and blog site as "Designing with dementia in mind: Why this brochure matters to Architectural Technologists" and as "A high-quality finish at St George’s Health and Wellbeing Hub", dated 15 and 8 September respectively, both written by Gerflor.

--CIAT

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