NHS Lothian is the UK’s second largest Health Authority, and contains 21 hospitals and various vital community and healthcare practices. Pineapple was chosen to provide a range of furniture for several wards and spaces within the Oncology & Haematology ward in The Western General Hospital based in Edinburgh.
We were proud to work alongside NHS Lothian, Oberlanders, an award-winning architectural practice and RMF Health a leading construction and building service contractors, as part of a phased regeneration project to improve the Cancer Care units within the hospital.
Furniture options were chosen to complement the upgraded facilities, that allowed for efficient staff workflow and to provide patients and visitors with comfortable surroundings to help alleviate the stress involved with treatments. The overall space utilises the abundant natural light from the large windows, and the vibrant furniture colour choices help to define the centre’s new identity.
Contrasting with the neutral interior colour palette, Pineapple furniture was upholstered using vibrant Cadet Zest Grape and Cadet Zest Mustard finishes; an easy-to-clean vinyl that is fire-retardant and water-resistant. The upholstery is protected by a non-leaching antimicrobial coating which is 99.98% effective against bacteria and viruses including MRSA, E. coli and Coronaviruses, making it an ideal choice for healthcare environments.
Reception areas feature Purl Plus – a stylish contemporary seating range with additional reinforcement and strength. The seat height has been thoughtfully designed to be 480mm, to help those with reduced mobility, and the metal feet provide resistance to regular mopping which may damage wooden feet.
In the lounge areas, a mix of Sloane high-back chairs and Larsen Lounge Bariatric chairs provide a variety of seating options. Sloane features subtle wings which provide head and neck support, while the bariatric chairs are robust option which has been tested to withstand a 50-stone user. The subtle design provides choice for all users and helps maintain patient dignity.
Throughout the treatment areas, meeting rooms and further waiting areas, our iconic Vee side and armchairs were chosen to provide easy-to-manoeuvre seating. Vee combines strength and stability with the convenience of being stackable for easy storage.
Increasingly, hospitals are providing family rooms or creating a specific space, where family can stay for short periods of time to support those undergoing treatments. Our Ton Sofa bed is an ideal choice for these areas, as it is an easy-to-use sofa bed to help accommodate supportive loved ones. The easy to remove cushions and specifically chosen in a water-resistant vinyl, allows for easy cleaning and dries quickly for re-use.
In bedroom spaces, our compact Recondo recliner offer a place for visitors to comfortably spend time at the patient’s bedside. As well as offering a comfortable seating solution, the reclining design provides another area for respite outside of using a bed. Recondo offers a three-position seat, indicating the reclining positions for seated upright to fully reclined, so the user can determine their own level of comfort.
Photographer: Chris Sutherland
