The Congregate Dining study is the fifth of six research studies being conducted as part of the Centre’s bold Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) project. 

Inpatient congregate (communal) dining is a design element planned for the new West Park hospital, and is intended to facilitate social interaction.

Before and after the new hospital is built, the study will explore how the implementation of congregate dining may impact the patient and family experience in a rehabilitation setting.

Pre- and Post-Occupancy Research Activities

Pre-Occupancy 
The pre-occupancy (pre-construction) phase of the Congregate Dining study is now closed. The purpose of this evaluation is to explore and understand the current spaces being used by patients and their family/friends as group dining areas, and to determine how patients and their family/friends will most benefit from the introduction of congregate dining. User feedback was collected from West Park patients, their families, and clinicians. 

Post-Occupancy 
The post-occupancy (post-construction) phase of the Congregate Dining study is planned for 2024-2025. The new West Park hospital will be assessed to measure how congregate dining impacts patients and their families, and contributes to a better, more inclusive patient and family experience.

Feedback Wanted

Feedback on the West Park experience in the current hospital has now been collected. Feedback on the new hospital will be collected when the new facility is built (planned for 2024-2025). West Park patients, family/friends and staff are strongly encouraged to participate in the Congregate Dining or other POE studies. To participate in future POE activities or to learn more, please contact POE@westpark.org .