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Assessment of Accessibility in Public Healthcare Facilities

Abstract

Accessibility in public healthcare facilities is essential for ensuring that all members of the community can obtain healthcare services safely, conveniently, and with dignity. Hospitals, clinics, health centres, and other medical facilities serve people with diverse physical abilities, ages, health conditions, and mobility requirements. However, inadequate entrances, difficult circulation routes, insufficient sanitary facilities, poor signage, and other physical barriers can limit access to healthcare services. Assessing accessibility is therefore important for creating healthcare environments that support equitable and independent use. This study assesses accessibility in public healthcare facilities, focusing on the physical and functional characteristics that influence how patients, visitors, healthcare workers, and caregivers enter, move through, and use healthcare environments. Key areas considered include site access, parking, pedestrian routes, entrances, reception areas, waiting spaces, corridors, consultation rooms, treatment areas, sanitary facilities, vertical circulation, and emergency exits. The study examines whether these spaces provide convenient and continuous movement for users with different abilities. Particular attention is given to accessibility requirements for persons with disabilities and other users who may experience temporary or permanent mobility limitations. Features such as ramps, lifts, handrails, accessible doorways, adequate turning spaces, tactile indicators, visual and audible information, accessible toilets, and appropriately designed waiting areas can improve independent movement and reduce physical barriers. The study also considers the relationship between these features and the overall spatial organization of healthcare facilities. The study further examines how accessibility influences the quality of healthcare experiences. Difficult or confusing circulation systems can increase stress, delay access to services, and create dependence on caregivers or staff. Clear wayfinding, appropriate spatial dimensions, comfortable waiting areas, adequate lighting, suitable floor surfaces, and well-positioned facilities can contribute to safer and more efficient movement. Accessibility is therefore considered not only as a physical design requirement but also as an important component of patient-centred healthcare environments. Several challenges may affect accessibility in public healthcare facilities, including inadequate implementation of building standards, limited funding, ageing infrastructure, poor maintenance, overcrowding, insufficient professional awareness, and the constraints associated with modifying existing buildings. In some facilities, accessibility features may exist but be poorly maintained or disconnected from major circulation routes. Addressing these challenges requires regular accessibility assessments, effective facility management, user consultation, appropriate upgrading strategies, and stronger integration of inclusive design principles into healthcare planning. The study aims to assess the level of accessibility in public healthcare facilities and identify architectural strategies for improving access, movement, safety, and usability. The findings are expected to assist architects, healthcare administrators, planners, policymakers, and facility managers in developing more inclusive healthcare environments. Improving accessibility through appropriate site planning, building design, circulation systems, maintenance, and user-centred evaluation can support equitable healthcare access and create facilities that respond effectively to the diverse needs of patients, visitors, and healthcare personnel.

Keywords: Healthcare accessibility, Public healthcare facilities, Inclusive healthcare design, Universal design, Persons with disabilities, Barrier-free design, Patient-centred design, Healthcare architecture, Building circulation, Accessible facilities, Wayfinding, Healthcare environments, Accessibility standards, Inclusive architecture.