The “healing power of natural light” played a major role in the architectural design of King Edward VII Hospital’s new Acute Care Wing.

Offering an update on the construction of the Wing yesterday, a hospital spokesperson said large windows were featured throughout the building.

“ . . . and while that allows light into areas facing outdoors it doesn’t address areas in the middle of the new facility.

“Yet natural light pours as readily into these areas as those on the perimeter of the building. This is because a central atrium with skylights has been created in the middle of the facility,” said the spokesperson.

Bermuda Hospitals Board president and CEO Venetta Symonds added: “The design in this section of the building uplifts your spirit. I’m sure members of the public will especially appreciate having this feeling in a hospital setting.

“The functionality of making it a waiting area speaks to the expertise of the architectural and design team of Paget Health Services.”

The atrium is 2,738 square feet on the second floor. It houses a waiting area, check-in desk and discharge lounge for surgical patients. The waiting area seats 18 people while the discharge lounge seats eight.

According to the spokesperson, “scientific studies have proven the importance of lighting levels on mood and emotion and more recently on the body’s circadian rhythms and in turn, its physiology.

“The Bermuda Hospitals Board is proud that the new Acute Care Wing provides both its staff and the public with healthy amounts of natural light.”

The Acute Care Wing will open to the public in September.

Those willing to support new Wing with a donation to the ‘Why It Matters’ campaign can visit www.bhct.bm for more information.