Dementia-friendly design for Salisbury District Hospital

At Salisbury District Hospital, a thoughtful approach to design is transforming care for elderly patients.

The new Imber Ward, within the Elizabeth Building, provides 24 additional beds in a modern, dementia-friendly space built with sustainability and patient well-being at its heart.

Part-funded by the hospital’s charity, the Stars Appeal, the £14m development was designed to create a calm, supportive environment that feels both safe and welcoming.

Creating calm through design

A package of Altro floors and walls was installed throughout the ward, combining hygiene, safety, and aesthetics to support both patients and staff.

• Altro Illustra, Altro Suprema, and Altro Operetta provide durable, easy-to-clean surfaces with contemporary looks.
• Altro Wood adds warmth and familiarity to patient areas, creating a more homely atmosphere.
• In bathrooms and wet rooms, Altro Pisces flooring pairs with Altro Whiterock Satins and Altro Whiterock White wall cladding to deliver hygienic, safe environments for both barefoot and shod use.
• Altro Whiterock Digiclad (Custom) introduces beautiful, bespoke wall designs that reflect local landscapes and seasonal colour palettes.

Designed with patients in mind

The hospital’s ArtCare team, led by Lesley Self, and estates project lead Julia Gregory, collaborated closely with patients, families, and staff to inform the design. Their work focused on wayfinding, familiarity, and biophilic design - key principles in dementia-friendly environments.

“Patients may experience disorientation while navigating the area, so integrating wayfinding into the overall design was essential,” says Lesley. “It’s also about helping staff take ownership of the space and understand how design can make a real difference.”

Each bay and side room has a distinct look, supported by colour and imagery inspired by the four seasons and the local Wiltshire landscape. These visual cues not only make navigation easier but also create a soothing, restorative atmosphere.

A space that supports care

As the hospital’s largest capital project in nearly 20 years, Imber Ward increases capacity for elderly patients recovering from surgery and supports the Trust’s elective recovery programme - allowing surgical beds to be used more efficiently across the hospital.

Lesley adds, “We’ve always used Altro products as they are great for clinical environments being versatile and providing a safe, hygienic, softening finish. We know that these products will be in place for at least 20 years, so they need to be durable, flexible, and able to match changing colour schemes.”

Supporting better healthcare design

The combination of Altro’s products at Salisbury District Hospital demonstrates how thoughtful material choices can enhance wellbeing and support the specialist needs of patients. By blending functionality, safety, and design, the new ward provides an environment that is both uplifting and practical for patients, staff, and visitors alike.

Read the full case study here.