Celebrating Design Excellence: NHS England Workshop Showcases the Role of the Design Quality Indicator (DQI)

The workshop explored the development of the DQI for Health model, and its adoption by NHS England in 2012 as part of its capital investment business case requirements. Presentations from industry experts provided valuable perspectives on the evolution of DQI, its practical application in NHS projects, and lessons learned from recent workshops under the New Hospital Programme.

The DQI is a structured, evidence-based tool designed to assess and improve the quality of building design. Originally launched in 2002 by the Construction Industry Council (CIC), the DQI was developed in collaboration with leading architects, engineers, and clients to ensure that buildings meet functional, aesthetic, and sustainability goals. Its healthcare-specific version, DQI for Health, was introduced with support from the London Strategic Health Authority in 2010 and has since become integral to NHS England’s assurance process for major capital projects.

For over two decades, DQI has helped organisations achieve better design outcomes by engaging stakeholders, facilitating informed decision-making, and ensuring that projects deliver long-term value.  Today, it remains a cornerstone of design appraisal for NHS estates improvement projects, supporting robust business case development and compliance with national standards.

CIC is committed to continuous improvement of the DQI framework. Plans are underway to appoint a new DQI Champion to lead the review and development of models across sectors, including healthcare, education, commercial, and defence. 

CIC Chief Executive Graham Watts said "Design quality is not a luxury – it is fundamental to creating environments that support health, wellbeing, and operational efficiency. The DQI process ensures that these principles are embedded from the earliest stages of project planning.”

For more information on DQI and how it can support your projects, visit http://www.DQI.org.uk.