FINAL - JDDK Millmount News Summer Edition 2025 DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 16
THE DESIGN
Look beyond bricks and mortar
The best hospice environments are those that communicate
care the moment someone walks through the door. That might
be through something as simple as rethinking the reception area,
to creating a more welcoming arrival experience, or relocating a
nurses’ station to improve visibility and ef昀椀ciency.
These design tweaks don’t need to be costly, but they speak
volumes. A well-maintained, thoughtfully arranged space shows
people, whether they’re patients, visitors, or staff, that their
experience matters. It creates a sense of being valued and cared
for, and that emotional reassurance is just as important as clinical
functionality.
At JDDK, we encourage all our hospice partners to think in these
human terms. It’s not always about new buildings or major
refurbishments; sometimes the biggest improvement is simply
about better using what you already have.
Refurbishment as a sustainable choice
While sustainability might not be the 昀椀rst thing that comes to mind
with refurbishment funding, it’s worth remembering that maintaining
and improving existing buildings is a sustainable act. When we
extend the life of a hospice by adapting it to modern needs, we’re
reducing waste, minimising carbon impact, and making the best
use of public money.
There are, of course, tangible sustainability upgrades to consider
too – replacing windows, improving insulation, upgrading heating
systems. Many of these improvements are eligible for government
funding and can help reduce running costs over time, freeing up
more resources for direct care.
Design as a collaborative process
What makes a refurbishment project successful isn’t just the
design itself – it’s the relationships behind it. Our long-standing
partnerships with organisations like St Oswald’s and Marie Curie
mean we’re able to respond quickly, understand the context, and
suggest interventions that are both practical and aligned with longterm needs.
For any hospice approaching a project like this, engaging with
architects early and collaboratively is key. We don’t just draw up
plans – we help clients think through their goals, constraints, and
future ambitions. That means even with a limited budget, every
pound is working as hard as it can.
St Oswald’s Hospice Family Room
16 Millmount. Summer 2025.
