Area Sq designs London's most stylish NHS sexual health centre

Commercial interiors specialist, Area Sq, completed the design and fit-out of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital's new state-of-the-art sexual health centre at 56 Dean Street in Soho.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital were initially looking to procure the project on a traditional basis but Area Sq approached the project purely from a design aspect with a view to meet the brief by creating a unique environment. Area Sq were able to demonstrate that the brief could be achieved on time and within budget, whilst coordinating design inputs from a number of clinicians, managers and most importantly users of the service.

Previously located in Vincent Square, Victoria, SW1, the health centre which provides a wide range of free and confidential sexual health and HIV services for men and women of all ages, relocated to larger premises in Soho to enable easier access for patients.

With creative floor finishes, leather sofas, designer wallpaper and wifi access, the new centre has been described by the NHS team as "bringing patients services for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases into the 21st century".

Dr Alan McOwan, Service Director at 56 Dean Street, said:

"In the first month, we have seen a 19% increase compared to the number of people we saw at the Victoria Clinic which clearly shows that people are responding positively to what we have on offer at 56 Dean Street."

"At the Victoria Street Clinic we won a number of awards for our innovative sexual health campaigns and services. The move to new and larger premises at 56 Dean Street provided us with another opportunity to think outside the box. We wanted to move firmly away from the sterile and dull environments that are all too often associated with sexual health clinics and services."

"With the number of sexually transmitted infections continuing to rise we wanted to break down the stigma of visiting a sexual health clinic. The colours, finishes and quality of materials and furnishings used at 56 Dean Street have created an inviting, comfortable and reassuring environment. We want people to feel welcome, and this unique look and feel will allow us to do that."

Amanda Godwin-Jones, Design Director for Area Sq London said: "We worked closely with the team to create an environment where both aesthetics and patients’ privacy requirements were respected. Design serves multiple purposes, and in this instance, if it is getting people through the door then we have succeeded in what we set out to achieve."