What is Design & Dignity?
Design & Dignity, as part of our Hospice Friendly Hospitals programme, is a partnership project between Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) and the Health Service Executive (HSE). In 2010, Design & Dignity was launched in recognition of the much-needed private, respectful, dignified and comfortably tranquil spaces for patients and families at end of life in hospitals.
To date, 52 projects have been awarded funding with palliative care suites, family rooms with overnight accommodation, rooms for bereaved families, bereavement suites in emergency department and family-friendly mortuaries developed across the country.
The aim of the programme, then and now, is to change not just the physical environment of hospitals for people and their families’ facing death but also the culture of care within acute hospitals as part of IHF and HSE Hospice Friendly Hospitals programme.
What does Design & Dignity do?
Design & Dignity transforms old and outdated hospital spaces, one room at a time.
We do this by:
- Funding a range of ‘exemplar’ projects through a formal Grants scheme
- Providing practical architectural support and advice to interested applicants.
- Developing the Design & Dignity Guidelines allowing hospital staff to enhance the physical environment of hospitals. These guidelines have since been adopted by the HSE should be used to inform all new and refurbished work.
- Providing staff with tools and resources to enable staff to implement the Design & Dignity Guidelines.
Apply for Funding
There are two opportunities to apply for funding through Design & Dignity. Both are open to hospitals engaged and affiliated with Hospice Friendly Hospitals.
Our core Design & Dignity Grant Scheme is for large-scale refurbishments of hospital rooms and spaces intended for end-of-life care, while Design & Dignity Small Grants Funding is for minor refurbishments.
1. Design & Dignity Grant Scheme
Our core Design & Dignity Grant Scheme aims to transform the way hospital spaces are designed for people at the end of life and their families.
All HSE and voluntary adult, maternity, and paediatric hospitals and units are eligible to apply.
How to apply: Design & Dignity is accepting applications for Grant Round 7 on a rolling basis. To request a Design & Dignity Application form, please email d&[email protected].
2. Design & Dignity Small Grants Funding
Resources
To support your application, we recommend that potential applicants review the following resources. They will be helpful for applications to both our core Grant Scheme and Small Grants Funding.
Provide the necessary direction for the design and planning of acute hospitals, so existing buildings can support quality end-of-life care. Download the Design & Dignity Guidelines.
Watch an introduction to the Design & Dignity programme, why it is vital and testimonials of staff who have received funding for a project.
Watch the short animation detailing how Irish Hospice Foundation’s Design & Dignity project aims to provide comforting places and private spaces for people facing the end of life and their loved ones.
Watch a presentation by Ronan Rose-Roberts. Design & Dignity Architect advisor shares his experience and knowledge of creating exemplar rooms and spaces, whilst exploring the question: Why do Design & Dignity projects cost more than standard hospital refurbishments?
Download the Design & Dignity Portfolio, showcasing a selection of Design & Dignity projects.
By room type: used to assess existing facilities and guide improvements.
