Design helps to propel cancer care into new realm

A world-class hospital and research institute facility may sound an unlikely building to elicit expressions of “wow" and “amazing", but these are often the response when people walk into the new A$1.2 billion Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) in Melbourne, Australia, according to Siegi Schmidmaier, Director, Strategy at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, which is located within the VCCC.

"The first impression of the VCCC can be a little bit overwhelming, in a nice sort of way," said Schmidmaier, who was speaking at the Knowledge of Design Week 2016 (KODW). Schmidmaier explained to the audience how the views from a patient, medical professionals and focus groups representing various users had been taken into account during the design process. "People affected by cancer or working with cancer patients were at the heart of every decision in the development of our new home, which doesn’t have the feel of a traditional hospital," stressed Schmidmaier.

From the ocean and busy city views that distract from chemotherapy chairs, to landscaped garden sanctuaries decorated with native and exotic plants to sprawling benches and quiet corners where recovering patients and loved ones can sit and relax. User-centric design and placement of signage and information kiosks have also been taken into consideration. Working with selected partners, said Schmidmaier, and getting the design form and function right has been extremely important during the setting up of the new Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

Schmidmaier said within the VCCC emphasis had been placed on everything that is efficient and caring and epitomises what thoughtful quality healthcare should be. This includes modern inpatient and outpatient facilities and spaces for patients and families to spend time together during what is often the most traumatic experience of their lives. Public zones are designed to bring patients into proximity with doctors and nurses, research scientists, technicians and other users of the building. Careful design considerations were given to the location and connectivity between moving patients to imaging, pathology, operating theatres, and the intensive care. There is even a Wellbeing Centre fitted out like an airport lounge, where patients and their families can use, even when their treatment is finished.

"The VCCC is a collaboration that aims to save lives through the integration of cancer research, education and patient care to create a worldclass centre of excellence," Schmidmaier said. The facility is designed to accommodate hundreds of doctors, nurses and researchers, working across the centre’s eight partner organisations. "Every effort has been made to ensure researchers can translate research from the lab to the patient bedside," said Schmidmaier.

Explaining that design goes beyond the physical building and fittings and features within the VCCC, Schmidmaier detailed how services were designed around patients’ needs and suggestions. For example, recognising that cancer diagnoses can be a shocking and confusing experience, responding to requests, patients are able to record their consultations with their medical professionals. "By bringing together various experts we have worked out a way to overcome privacy issues, so that cancer patients can keep a record of their consultations or share information about their healthcare needs and treatment with their families," said Schmidmaier. Patient focus groups also asked for information about the diagnoses and treatment of cancers to be presented in a simpler way than they traditionally were. "Working closely with focus groups is a very meaningful and successful way to ensure we take into account all of our patient’s needs and concerns during a stressful period of their lives," noted Schmidmaier.