NHS Clinic Reception Design Ideas: Transforming the Hewitt Fertility Centre

Imagine walking into a clinic where the first thing you see isn’t stark, clinical walls but a warm, welcoming wall mural – a space designed to ease your worries. At the Hewitt Fertility Centre, a leading fertility clinic in the Northwest and integrated into Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust, that’s now a reality. Proof that creative clinic reception design ideas can not only transform the look of your clinic; they can also enhance patient Experience.

With anxious and often apprehensive individuals walking through the doors every day, creating a positive first impression is not just important, it is essential. That’s why Judy Fairbairn, Operations Service Manager at the centre, reached out to us.

Judy and the team wanted to transform its tired and dull waiting room into something inviting and inspiring; a space that embodies warmth, calmness, and reassurance, while simultaneously celebrating the centre’s local roots and position as an integral part of the Liverpool community, without alienating those from further afield. This was a challenge we were excited to accept.

The result? A welcoming environment their patients deserve. Here’s how we accomplished this.

Listening to What Matters: Consultation as the First Step

Our wall mural design process starts with a vital first step: listening.

By engaging patient groups and staff, we ensure the final design meets the needs of everyone who uses an invaluable resource like the Hewitt Fertility Centre. The feedback we receive is always invaluable, especially when developing clinic wall murals.

In this case, patients told us what brought them comfort during an emotionally charged time, and staff shared insights into what would make their workplace more uplifting.

Healthcare Wall Murals: The Design Approach

With a deep understanding of the needs of the centre, its staff and patients, we first tackled the big focal point – an imposing curved wall in the reception area. This is the first thing that patients see, and, clearly, sets the tone for any visit.

After considering many mural ideas, we opted for a vibrant yet soothing design that incorporates the hospital’s colour scheme, tying in shades of pink and purple. A bespoke, hand-drawn Liverpool skyline added a personal touch that also grounds the space in its community.

To add a greater sense of reassurance for patients, we included a series of carefully chosen quotes from those who had already walked the same journey – comforting words of encouragement and trust.

In contrast, the flat wall in the waiting area called for more subdued treatment. Patients spend longer here than in reception, so we selected a calming image of a bluebell wood – a natural scene that creates a tranquil oasis, inviting patients to pause and breathe.

Once more, the design echoes the colour scheme of soft pinks and purples, helping to blend all design elements. A simple welcome message completed the look, ensuring a warm yet understated greeting.

A Transformational Impact

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Judy and her team are thrilled with the results, with patients regularly commenting on the welcoming atmosphere that now greets them.

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Judy and her team are thrilled with the results, with patients regularly commenting on the welcoming atmosphere that now greets them.

One patient who has been attending the clinic throughout a course of  treatment commented ‘ how much fresher the area feels , and more welcoming’

Another commented that ‘the reception wall gave us a great first impression, seeing patient quotes helped us feel reassured as we attended for the first time’.

Along with feedback such as ‘We loved the sketches of the city landmarks,  such a great way to show the city off’, ‘The area is bright and vibrant as you enter  – and has a more calming feel in the waiting room’ and ‘I love the bluebell woods, it makes me think of  new beginnings’

The design consultation, resulting in the calming bluebell woods and vibrant city skyline aren’t just decorative wall murals. They also do a critical job of soothing, reassuring, and uplifting patients and staff – backed up by a growing body of research indicating ‘decrease in patients’ anxiety, pain, and stress levels when exposed to certain built environment design interventions.’ Consequently, while we were focused on creating something beautiful, we were also mindful of its potential to support the clinic’s broader goals of excellent patient care.

Why Clinic Reception Design Ideas Matter: The Bigger Picture

For healthcare boards, administrators, and planners, this case study highlights the power of thoughtful medical interior design. It’s not just about making your space look good. It’s also about aligning the environment with the needs of those who use it. Whether it’s a curved wall that welcomes patients with vibrant local imagery, or a quiet bluebell wood that offers a moment of peace, every design choice was intentional.

The consultation process was a cornerstone of any project like this. By involving patients and staff, we ensure that the result isn’t just visually pleasing, but also meaningful and effective. This collaborative approach is something we recommend to all our clients to ensure a design that truly resonates.

Are Your Wall Murals Promoting Better Patient Outcomes?

We’re proud of what we achieved at for Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust, and we’re especially proud of the impact it has had on both patients and staff.

Are you ready to transform your healthcare space? We’d love to hear from you. We’ll bring the same level of care and attention to your healthcare interiors – because we want to create something that not only looks beautiful, but also makes a real difference to all.

For more information about our design and installation services for healthcare facilities in the UK, contact us today.