The latest Australasian Health Facilities Guidelines incorporates components of the Canberra Hospital Expansion design.

Ten design components have been integrated into the new Critical Services Building and will become the standard in healthcare projects in Australia, health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said.

These include dimmable lighting in patient rooms; dedicated consumer power points in patient rooms; additional grab rails in ensuites; tri-zone inclusion: patient, carer and staff spaces in patient rooms; accessible counters; automatic doors on public accessible toilets; a patient family lounge; a sensory room; a reception desk in the Emergency Department waiting room; and a family respite lounge.

Over the coming years, these design standards will be integrated into healthcare projects nationwide, including Canberra’s new more than $1 billion northside hospital, the minister said.

Queensland and Victoria health authorities have indicated they will adopt these standards.

The Canberra Hospital Expansion Consumer Reference Group helped to design the Critical Services Building.

“The work of the Consumer Reference Group has already set a new standard for health infrastructure in the ACT, and it is now leading best practice design across Australia and the wider Australasian region,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.

“Consumer involvement throughout the Canberra Hospital Expansion Project has fundamentally altered how we think about health infrastructure.

“This work highlights the importance of a consumer-focused approach in hospital design. From family respite areas to dedicated power points, working alongside the Consumer Reference Group means we are delivering a building that meets the needs of patients, carers, visitors and staff.”

The new Health Infrastructure Consumer Reference Group will help to design the northside hospital, stage two of the Canberra Hospital Master Plan, and new health centres.