Impact of Space Flexibility and Standardisation on Healthcare Delivery
Dr Ahmad Mohammad Ahmad, Professor Andrew Price, Dr Peter Demian

Abstract
Space flexibility and space standardisation can be applied in healthcare buildings to improve design, construction and service delivery in healthcare. The concepts of flexibility and standardisation have been implemented globally across different sectors and industries. However, an important question emerges relating to healthcare facilities: how do flexibility and standardisation impact healthcare staff workflow and patient care? It is appropriate to apply them simultaneously in the physical space, as they collectively improve efficiency in healthcare delivery. This paper refers to space flexibility and space standardisation (as space attributes). The synergies and tensions between both space attributes are explored. A questionnaire survey was conducted with experienced healthcare professionals that included: architects, health planners and project managers. A total of 200 questionnaires were sent out; a response rate of 35% was recorded. Semi structured interviews were conducted with the top 100 UK architectural practices. The questionnaire survey respondents felt that space flexibility can improve facility adaptability and it is more effective when applied on a long-term basis, whilst space standardisation can improve the quality of healthcare facilities and it is more effective when applied to healthcare rooms. Some of the interviewees agreed that flexibility is a component of standardisation or an area covered by standardisation.

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