October was a busy month with regard to the planning process for Nantucket’s new hospital. On October 14^th, we began the schematic design phase of the project working with architects from Cannon Design. At the end of this process, we will have our schematic design for the new hospital with defined walls and functions. The architects and hospital staff identified three specific areas:

• Patient flow
• Materials and supplies flow
• Physician office visit flow

During several working sessions with the architects we defined the current state of these functions and discussed their future states in a new building and how they would affect the architecture. A big part of the discussion centered around how to enter the building – via one entrance or multiple entrances – and we reached consensus that the hospital is truly a center for health and wellness, not a hospital and a separate group of doctors offices. This led to a recommendation for a single public entrance to the new building (with a separate, dedicated entrance for the ER). Another factor that is informing the design is a focus on resiliency. We’ve studied the number of hurricanes over the past 75 years that came within 50 miles of Nantucket, and are considering designing the new building to withstand the “Miami Dade County” requirements of 160 mph winds.

We also are also seeking input on designing the patient and visitor experience in the new building. Through feedback from community members who sit on our Advisory Council and the Patient & Family Advisory Council, we’re looking for input, guidance and decision-making from islanders. We continued this process at the Oct. 13^th Patient & Family Advisory Council, where members of the public gave their initial feedback on preliminary concepts. Finally, the hospital’s Strategic Planning Committee, which includes hospital leadership and members of the Board of Trustees, has begun reviewing massing and architectural concepts, and will make a recommendation on inclusion of a third floor versus a basement.

Do you have questions or comments? Tell us what you think by sending an e-mail to contactnch@partners.org