3.22.1 The method and strategy for signage, both internally and externally, is important for patients and visitors to the healthcare facility. Clear signposting in NHSScotland buildings is essential in helping people find their way around. Signage should be clear and not obscured - it is important to ensure the avoidance of obstructions and to design environments that can be navigated by all including those with physical and/or sensory impairments or language difficulties. Directions should be unambiguous. Too much information should not be given at once: large banks of signs are difficult to understand. Directional information must be structured so that the patient or visitor is led through a facility carefully and logically. The use of maps should be encouraged with 'milestones' along a route, which can be easily interpreted. The principle should follow that of navigating in a town centre. Signage can be grouped into one of three categories as follows:
• Information - for example floor plans and directions;
• Directional - for example lift lobby areas and corridors; and
• Identification - for example departments and door signs
The use of colour can be of assistance.
3.22.2 In general:
• agree the name of the new facility at the earliest opportunity;
• agree the style, colour and configuration of signs at the briefing stage if possible. All signage should comply with NHSScotland Identity Guidance which can be accessed at http://www.nhsscotlandci.scot.nhs.uk ;
• provide signs suitable for those ethnic minorities for whom English is not the first language;
• provide signs which can be interpreted by people with visual perception difficulties and blind people;
• Ensure wording and use of pictograms etc. is consistent throughout the facility - text and lettering should be in a clear, uncomplicated font;
• agree the internal sign schedule only after wide consultation with different departments, for example, X-ray or radiology;
• minimise the number of signs used - it is easy to add signs if required once the building is operational but ensure adequate contingency funds are built in to the budget;
• agree room titles with each department in the facility, titles such as 'Store' or 'Utility' should be used throughout the facility; Note: this information is essential for the correct programming of addressable systems such as Fire and nurse call;
• if need be, re-sign part or all of the complex of which the new facility is a part;
• invite representatives of the patient consultation group(s) to walk around the new facility and the existing building, as this might inform the strategy;
• have a member of the Commissioning Manager's staff supervise the fitting and positioning of the signs as this can help to avoid any misinterpretation of the agreed sign schedule;
• obtaining planning permission for external signage from the Local Authority - sufficient time for making the application and subsequent discussions with Council Planners must be allowed;
• ensure the policies for car parking, access, delivery points and disabled access facilities are decided in time for the relevant signs to be ordered;
• arrange for temporary signage to be installed in plenty of time in a facility which might be closing as a result of the development so that the public are well-informed;
• ensure that road signs outside the hospital site are agreed and installed by the Roads/ Highways Department of the Local Authority and only unveiled to coincide with the transfer of services;
• ensure that white and yellow lining is included in plans for areas outside the facility, as well as handrails and resting points for those with mobility difficulties;
• ensure that dropping-off points and ambulance parking bays are clearly identified; and
• ensure consideration is given to Health and Safety, Fire and statutory signage e.g. no smoking, cctv/data protection.