Building for Better Care
BMJ Architects delivered new Combined Assessment Units at University Hospital Ayr and University Hospital Crosshouse, alongside a new Emergency Department at Ayr, as part of NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s wider programme to modernise urgent and emergency care.
Integrated Front Door for Unscheduled Care
The developments bring key front door services together, consolidating assessment, emergency and short-stay care functions to support a more integrated model of unscheduled care. At Ayr, the project includes Adult and Paediatric Accident & Emergency, Minor Injuries, Doctors-On-Call services and additional imaging, creating a clearer single point of access for patients arriving at the hospital.
Concept and Strategy
Both sites were delivered through the refurbishment and extension of existing hospital buildings, requiring careful planning within live healthcare environments. The Combined Assessment Units are arranged around three core functions: multi-bay initial assessment, short-stay ambulatory care cubicles and in-patient wards with 100% single bedrooms.
The units are planned around a racetrack configuration, organised around courtyards to support intuitive movement, natural light and clear clinical workflows. At Ayr, the Emergency Department is arranged around a central Majors treatment area, with the blue-light emergency route to resuscitation facilities forming a key organisational driver.
Explore the Details
Architectural Approach
The architectural approach responds to the character of each hospital site. At Crosshouse, render and metal cladding sit comfortably within the existing hospital context, while at Ayr, red brick and tiled roofs reflect the surrounding estate.
Sustainability was considered through the reuse of existing vacated areas, reducing the carbon impact, energy demand and material use associated with new build development. The design also made use of repeatable room types, standardised material modules, prefabricated assemblies and recyclable materials where possible. Low-energy lighting was specified throughout, while natural ventilation and external views were prioritised within bedroom areas.
