Airline-style pods and gardens between wards among ideas for hospitals of future

The starfish hospitals would also incorporate modern designs including plant-life and welcoming surroundings to make entering hospitals feel 'like a five-star hotel'

Smart ED – airline-style pods for A&E proposed by one of the finalists for the Wolfson Economics Prize (James Lennon/PA)

First class airline-style pods in A&E departments, gardens between wards and starfish-shaped hubs are among the innovative proposals which could help inform the design of new hospitals.

Five ideas have been shortlisted for this year’s £250,000 Wolfson Prize – the second biggest economics prize in the world – which aims to find innovations to improve hospitals for patients and staff.