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There should be sufficient space and changing rooms including toilets to allow for maintenance of patient dignity in the immediate period pre procedure. Suitable storage of personal effects including the patient’s own medication (e.g. secure storage lockers) should be available during transition through the perioperative pathway. Consideration should be given to providing an opportunity for basic entertainment while waiting for...

The operating theatre, and anaesthetic room where used, should conform to Department of Health building standards and be appropriately maintained.¹¹⁷

There should be provision of an emergency call system, including an audible alarm.¹¹⁷ A visible indication of the location of the emergency should also be considered.

The geographical arrangement of theatres, emergency departments, critical care units, coronary care, interventional radiology and imaging facilities should allow for the rapid transfer of critically ill patients.¹¹⁷

Anaesthetic sites must have scavenging systems that meet the Health and Safety Executive’s occupational exposure standards for anaesthetic agents.¹⁵¹

Appropriate blood storage facilities should be in close proximity to the operating theatre and should be clearly identifiable.¹¹⁷

Transport and distribution of blood and blood components at all stages of the transfusion chain must be kept under conditions that maintain the integrity of the product.¹⁵²

Facilities to allow access to online information, such as electronic patient records, local guidelines and clinical decision aids in the theatre suite should be considered.¹⁵³

Appropriate facilities for rest breaks should be provided according to defined norms.^{116,154,155,156}

Facilities for medication storage should be located and designed in such a way that allows timely access when required for patient care, while maintaining integrity of the medicines and aiding organisations to comply with safe and secure storage requirements.^157,158,159