‘A WORTHY winner’ is how Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary has been described by judges in a national design competition – hailing it as ‘an exemplar facility’.
The new DGRI won the Design Excellence Award at the Health Facilities Scotland conference in Crieff last Thursday.
And it marks the third award of its type collected by NHS Dumfries and Galloway Project Manager Stephen Howie, having previously lifted the same award for Dumfries Dental Centre and Midpark Hospital – both on Bankend Road, Dumfries.
Reacting to the award, Stephen said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have been recognised for the facility which has been created in Dumfries.
“The new Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary represents the realisation of a vision, brought to life through collaboration with partner organisations Ryder and NBBJ Architects, as part of the consortium High Wood Health and its construction partner Laing O’Rourke.
“Our new hospital is a fantastic facility, and represents the biggest ever capital investment by NHS Dumfries and Galloway.
“It has won praise from staff, patients and visitors, and we believe it embodies the award’s ethos of a design which is patient-focussed, functional, innovative and sustainable.”
The judges for the Design Excellence Award shared that view, selecting DGRI as winner from a field of ten shortlisted entries.
On announcing the winner, Health Facilities Scotland stated: “The new DGRI is a truly exemplar facility for the delivery of modern healthcare in Europe.
“Its design enhances and is inspired by its environs, on the edge of town and countryside.
“The proportions and materials are well considered and assist wayfinding externally and internally.
“On entering, users are greeted with a welcoming, light-filled reception space, with immediate views to both the landscape and to onward key destinations – a feature repeated across the design, and all too rarely delivered in any hospital or 65,000m2 facility.
“The judges felt this a worthy winner, with many DGRI key features set to become design benchmarks for NHS Scotland, e.g. light-filled ward layout, multi-acuity bedrooms, dispersed staff bases, social space, sanctuary space.
“The use of views, art and landscape throughout were exemplary for both orientation and well-being.”
DGRI became operational in December 2017, before being officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal on July 12 2018.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway Chief Executive Jeff Ace has congratulated the project team which drove forward the creation of the new facility at Garroch Loaning.
Mr Ace said: “To see Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary open, in full use, contributing so much to the welfare of our communities in Dumfries and Galloway is what is so rewarding.
“This award helps cement our belief that this design was the one which could best serve the region, and is a truly deserved tribute to all those who helped make our terrific new hospital a reality.”
The Design Excellence Award was presented at the Health Facilities Scotland conference which was held at Crieff Hydro Hotel in Perthshire from November 1 to 2.
The award was collected by Stephen Howie and Project Officer Justine Laurie, representing the hospital project team.
