IN the final part of the Evening Telegraph's in-depth look at Blackburn's new super hospital, we examine the design of the building and general services for patients and visitors.

WHEN top architects and NHS and construction bosses began to plan a new hospital from scratch they came up with some basic principles.

Finlay Inglis, who has led the Royal Blackburn Hospital project for builders Balfour Beatty, said: "The first big aspect is that the ward areas would be on the south side of the building facing Haslingden Road. That allows us to maximize the light, particularly in the winter time.

"The diagnostic areas where people don't need the light as much are on the north. People are being treated there so they need privacy."

He said windows on the south side were larger than in previous hospitals the firm had built, and would give as much light as possible, as well as a spectacular view of the nearby reservoir. The front entrance features a curved airport-style canopy, where buses and cars can drop people off. The front facade is made of glass and, once inside, patients are greeted by an open plan waiting area, reception and coffee shop.

Mr Inglis: "The main entrance is a major feature of the building. It is on the north side to protect it from the wind and rain to a degree, which is the problem with the Infirmary, where people were exposed to the elements.

"We spent a lot of time on the design to make it non-hospital-like. It has a soft feel to it. With the balcony it is more like a hotel entrance with the glass atrium. It makes people feel welcome."

He said seven courtyards were cut into the middle section of the rectangular shaped building so people could "get a sense of the outside".

He said there had been a drive to make the hospital feel as spacious as possible, including the use of light colours, such as lemon. Each floor is colour coded for patients.