Comfortable Waiting Room Chairs Help Improve NHS Patient Experience this Winter
For both patients and visitors, a trip to the hospital can be a very stressful experience where the waiting room is often a place for trepidation and anxiety. Although it can be difficult for healthcare providers to alleviate worries whilst waiting, the facilities provided in waiting room settings can go a long way to making people feel welcomed, safe and comfortable as they take a seat on the waiting room chairs.
Beyond the reception desk, the waiting room is usually the first place where patients take in their surroundings and get a feel for the place. Whether fresh and modern, or looking worn and dated, the state of the waiting room obviously doesn’t affect the quality of care patients will receive. However, when they first enter a hospital department, the waiting room aesthetics and the chairs they sit on will be the cues that form their impression of that department and indeed the establishment as a whole.
In addition to the décor which can greatly affect the ambience of a space, a key feature that usually dominates in any waiting room is the seating. Not only does the design and colour of waiting room seating have great visual impact, it can make all the difference in helping to create an environment where patients feel more at ease.
The prescription for better waiting room chairs
NHS hospital waiting rooms are very busy places with a constant stream of traffic throughout the day, and as these spaces can sometimes become crowded, they need to be configured to allow people to flow freely around with provision made for wheelchair users, prams and equipment such as walking aids. The configuration of waiting room chairs, and the ease of access and movement are equally as important as the seats themselves in making the waiting environment user-friendly.
Whilst it’s essential that NHS hospital waiting room chairs are robust, hard-wearing, and hygienic, it’s also extremely important that they are comfortable and provide the right level of support for users.
As waiting rooms are frequented by people of all ages, the waiting room chairs provided need to meet varying needs. This is why many healthcare waiting rooms within the NHS are furnished with a range of different seat types suitable for both children and adults, taking into account those who may be infirm or have a disability.
Beam Seating is a popular choice for NHS waiting rooms
With the combination of a strong metal frame and cushioned seats, beam seating is both sturdy and comfortable. With a range of options it can also be tailored to requirements and configured to fit a range of different spaces, making it a popular choice for both NHS hospital waiting rooms and GP surgeries.
Waiting room chairs on a beam can be designed to be free-standing or floor-fixed. Free-standing models can be moved around if required, but because they are strong and robust, they are unlikely to be moved so easily by patients. Whereas individual chairs are often picked up and carried to another spot, beam seats remain in situ. This prevents the waiting room from looking unkempt by the end of the day and eliminates the need for regular reconfiguration.
With the floor-fixed option, seats can be manufactured to flip-up when not in use. This format is ideal for narrow spaces or corridors where patients may have to wait outside a consultation room. However, flip-up seating is not suitable for everyone and this is why offering a range of waiting room seat styles helps ensure all needs can be catered for.
For those who require support when sitting or standing, beam seating can be manufactured with arms, at either end or between each individual seat. It also offers the flexibility of replacing seat positions with integral tables.
Evertaut has manufactured beam seating for waiting rooms in NHS hospitals and GP surgeries across the UK. We offer a range of designs which come with the option of padded seats, upholstered in antimicrobial vinyl which is easy to clean and hygienic.
Waiting room chairs help create a welcoming environment
With a vast range of waiting room chairs on the market, there is a great deal of choice available to healthcare establishments when looking to update their facilities. A selection of individual waiting room chairs is often specified to accommodate a range of users, from basic cushioned seats to bariatric chairs. These can be combined with beam seating to make best use of the available space.
For younger patients and visitors, specially designed children’s seating is often provided in a play corner or separate waiting room equipped to keep little ones entertained whilst waiting. Providing a designated area for children can help reduce stress in the waiting room as not everyone appreciates the inevitable noise or disturbance that can often occur when children are playing, or indeed when they become tired or fractious.
Evertaut manufactures a selection of children’s waiting room chairs and modular seating suitable for healthcare waiting rooms. Antimicrobial vinyl is available in a wide range of colours so it’s easy to create a vibrant space that is appealing to children, providing a welcome distraction from the worries of seeing a doctor or waiting for a parent or carer to do so.
For obvious reasons, antimicrobial vinyl is the covering of choice for the upholstery of NHS waiting room chairs. The vinyl used by Evertaut in manufacturing seats for healthcare establishments is independently tested and verified effective at reducing the spread of MRSA, E coli, Coronavirus, and other similar bacteria. As a wipeable material it is also easy to clean and to keep clean, making it a low maintenance option.
Evertaut is an established supplier of waiting room chairs to the NHS and private healthcare facilities. We have helped furnish NHS waiting rooms across the country with comfortable and functional seating, helping ensure patients are well seated whilst waiting.