Ambulatory Care and Community Health

An updated revision of HPU 155 Ambulatory Care and Community Health (Revision 8, March 2026) has been uploaded. The revised version has been informed by an extensive consultation process with clinical staff, technical experts and consumer representatives.

Key changes to the document include:

• enhanced focus on virtual models of care and telehealth services, with expanded guidance on the considerations for their implementation, integration and addition of the Telehealth Room to the Schedule of Accommodation, with quantity determined on a project‑by‑project basis
• recognition of mobile health fleets as key enablers of Ambulatory Care and Community Health services. While these sit outside the HPU scope, host clinics will have associated infrastructure requirements.
• further emphasis on compliance with local and/or jurisdictional requirements for duress alarm systems and other safety design considerations in patient‑facing areas such as reception zones, staff stations, and consultation rooms
• elaboration of electronic system considerations such as room booking, e-referral, waitlist management and scheduling systems as well as medication management and drug dispensing systems
• additional recommendations for engineering services, including requirements for dimmable lighting, air‑conditioning, and ventilation to enhance clinical function, patient comfort, and staff workflow
• inclusion of planning and design guidance for the Observation Room and Telehealth Room within the Non‑Standard Components section.