5+ Medical Centre Design Trends For 2024

More than 1,200 studies worldwide have uncovered links between good design and better patient outcomes. 

Even staff have been shown to perform better in aesthetically pleasing environments. 

The Victorian government has made a case for the efficacy of good medical centre design and its influence on patients and staff. Yet most healthcare providers are stuck in the past; continuing to work in cold, unwelcoming, and uninspiring spaces. 

Things are changing. Patients are now shopping for the best outpatient services. Most are willing to travel to the next suburb over for a better experience. 

Below, we uncover the latest medical centre design trends that healthcare providers should look out for in 2024. Which ones will you incorporate into your new medical fitout?

Bright lights, white walls and tiles communicate clean.

But they also communicate clinical. And for some patients with hospital phobia, these design choices could also induce stress.

To encourage a happy patient experience in 2024, medical centres will start to prioritise comfort and relaxation from reception to consultation. The trend is already happening internationally.

Take this migraine treatment centre in Poland, for example. The centre deviates from traditional medical environments and encapsulates and looks more like a day spa as opposed to a clinic. Given that migraine sufferers are sensitive to all types of external stimuli, architects built a space that doesn’t overload the senses. What you get are very natural finishes and consultation rooms that capture and diffuse natural light.

Home-centred design includes more natural elements and lighting, comfortable seating, and tones outside of the standard clinical white. It’s a trend that aims to reduce stress levels and transform routine medical centre visits into something patients look forward to.

It is estimated that around 165,000 healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur each year in Australia. There’s no way around it. No matter how pristine and clean you keep your medical centre, infection will spread at some point during the year.

To combat this, medical centres are incorporating infection-controlling raw materials into their fitouts. This could be something as simple as: 

• Putting an antimicrobial coating on flat surfaces,
• Using indigo LED lighting in treatment rooms, known for its antibacterial qualities,
• Reducing or eliminating the use of plastic, where microbes can persist for longer or,
• Using materials that have natural antimicrobial qualities—like copper—in your fitout.

For bigger medical centres is an essential design element. Wayfinding—commonly used in hospitals—turns a medical centre into a map that is easy for patients to navigate. It involves the use of differing patterns and colours on walls, floors, or both to differentiate between various locations within a centre. 

Wayfinding also works to accommodate people with various disabilities (e.g. tactile flooring for blind patients).

While serving as a tool for navigation, wayfinding elements are an opportunity to move away from clinical monotone colours and experiment with something more aesthetically pleasing for your patients. Wayfinding also reduces the spread of germs in larger centres, as patients navigate without the need to talk to a receptionist.

Similar to trends in dental clinic design, some Melbourne medical centres are opting for very natural fitouts. This includes plants and other greenery along with elements of natural light where possible.

When these elements can’t be incorporated naturally, some clinics opt to use natural-like lighting fixtures with green, earthy tones in the furniture, walls, and other areas.

Whether your medical centre sees children, adults, or a mix, the design of your space should accompany both. 

Games and play spaces can help children pass the time in the waiting room. If you’re working with limited space, a feature wall could also function as a sensory board for toddlers to interact with. Wall art, paintings, and murals add another homely touch for adults.

If your centre sees children primarily, opt for brighter colours and more art in consultation rooms. Physicians can use these design elements to direct children’s eyes away from a potentially uncomfortable procedure.

When the visit is over and the patient has recovered, it’s time for payment. Medical costs can vary from patient to patient, with each patient in various financial situations. It can be very uncomfortable to have private discussions about healthcare and fees in a crowded waiting area.

Creating a holistic environment doesn’t stop after the consultation. A recent trend in dental fitouts is to have a separate area for payment. Including an area like this in your fitout can make conversations regarding insurance and payment methods easier for everyone to have. 

It’s a little personal touch that shows your medical centre cares about the individual. And it’s the last chance for your team to imprint a positive memory on the entire experience. 

Most people won’t remember a thing said to them throughout their visit to the dentist. But they will remember how they felt on the day. How your dental clinic is designed could make a difference in keeping a lifelong client or scaring them away forever.

In the past, the family doctor served the entire family. Now more than ever, people are shopping around for the best patient experience, even if that means leaving their local suburb. Good design, on-trend design can help you create the most optimal experience for your patients.  

If you are inspired to create a medical centre that people want to go to, Canopy Fitouts can help. We have years of experience in the medical and healthcare fitout industry and can work with you to create a design that is fresh, welcoming, and functional. 

If you have any specific questions or are ready to get started on your dental fitout, speak with our knowledgeable team today. Initial consultations are free and fully transparent