Staff wellbeing hub in Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy

The covid pandemic changed the way we look at many things, but nothing more so than healthcare. Throughout the pandemic the health sector saw a significant increase in demand for its services with pressure reaching record levels in both 2020 and 2021. The effect of this was significant on staff with a corresponding detrimental impact on their health and wellbeing. NHS Fife, along with many other boards, sought to address this challenge by forming new wellbeing centres for staff known as staff hubs.

The aim of the staff hub was to provide a positive space away from the ward environment and allow staff space to deal with trauma and difficult issues whilst obtaining any support needed. The design of these spaces was aimed at fostering wellbeing by creating a therapeutic environment offering a variety of space for staff to either sit alone or be in a group.

The first staff hub project for NHS Fife was at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. This was designed within an existing squash court, previously used as an estates workshop store.  Wellwood Leslie managed to cram a significant amount of accommodation within the overall space available. This included ‘The Kitchen’ (a communal space with kitchen table arrangement for group sessions, food prep area and comfy lounge seating), a rest pod (for napping), a quiet room (for contemplation), an activity stair (with stepped seating areas and library wall), a small study space, a larger meeting room (8 people), and a small therapy office.

The project garnered significant support within NHS Fife and even obtained some funding through Sir Captain Tom Morris fund.

Location / Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy
Client / NHS Fife
Status / Completion in 2021
Sector / Healthcare