A selection of children and their parents were given special access to the new RCH today to test the exciting new wayfinding system.

A wayfinding strategy has been developed to help patients, families and staff find their way around the new hospital.  It includes colourful themes and graphics applied to patient areas, as well as signage and other tools.

In true Amazing Race style, families were provided a letter naming the hospital destination they were required to reach unescorted.  The families were then sent on their ways to rely upon the wayfinding tools in the hospital to reach various areas including wards, specialist clinics and Pharmacy.  Most families reached their destinations easily, while some took the odd wrong turn.

Despite the children viewing the exercise as a fun game, it formed an important element of the wayfinding strategy’s evaluation process.  To conclude the exercise, families participated in a detailed survey and group forum with the strategy’s designer, Buro North, to ensure their feedback was collected.

Buro North will use participants’ feedback to place the final refinements on the wayfinding tools before patients move in on 30 November.