Alyson Walker

Paediatric cardiac anaesthetist, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, Scotland

Paediatric cardiac anaesthetist, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, Scotland

Working in Scotland’s largest children’s hospital as a paediatric cardiac anaesthetist has inspired Aly’s passion for improving user experience and healthcare environment design. This interest in design was sparked during her time on the Scottish Quality and Safety Fellowship.

From a starting point of zero budget, she spearheaded a £1 million transformation of the children’s operating theatre department. Acting as a ‘superconnector’, Aly assembled a team of interior designers, architects, illustrators and environmental psychologists to work alongside contractors, capital planning, infection control and estates departments and created something truly wonderful.

Aly will share her expertise in creative design within the constraints of a healthcare environment. She has experience in design tools such as empathy mapping, journey mapping, observation, stakeholder mapping, shadowing, user interviews, personas and prototyping and enjoys gathering meaningful research to inform improvement projects.