Acton Shapiro has been a co-author (along with others listed in the acknowledgement section of the guidance) of new web-based planning and design guidance for primary and social care premises. We are now also responsible for updating the site, and responding to feedback from individual users through a contract with the Central Office of Information (COI) on behalf of the Department of Health.

The website can be found on Primary and Social Care Premises - Planning and Design Guidance site.  It identifies the key considerations and actions for those involved in the planning, briefing and design of primary and social care premises, and gives some guidelines on funding, procurement and design.  It replaces HBN 36 - 'Local healthcare facilities' and the commentary to the 'SFA' ('Red Book').

Using the site:  the information on the website is organised under five main headings, which correspond to the main sequential stages in the planning and design process for primary and social care premises.  These are:

• Understand the national policy framework
• Prepare your local strategic plan
• Prepare your procurement plan
• Develop your project brief
• Establish your detailed design brief.

An overview of the content for each heading is available.