The suit restricts the wearer's mobility

The suit restricts the wearer's mobility to mimic the effects of conditions such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

Experts say the apparatus will help them draw up plans for Derby's new �333m super hospital.

But campaigners insist they should be consulting people with disabilities to help with the blueprint.

Different disabilities

The suit was developed by scientists at Loughborough University and adapted by the building firm Skanska.

It is being used by Capita to design the new hospital, which is being built on the existing Derby City General Hospital site.

The suit has splints and restrictors that limit the movement of joints such as the hand, wrists, elbows, neck, upper and lower torso, knees and ankles to simulate the loss of mobility caused by ageing and arthritis.

Disabled people are the experts on what they require Nancy Pountain, Derby Access Group

The aim of using the suit is to give architects a better understanding of the problems patients have using fixtures such as toilets, wardrobes and doors.

Nancy Pountain, from Derby Access Group, said the suit should not replace the views of disabled people.

She said: "Disabled people are the experts on what they require, and every disability is different - everybody has different ways of not being able to achieve things.

"If it is only used for this purpose - for the architect to at least have an insight into the conditions people are suffering - then this could be a help.

"But to replace the views of the disabled person, it is not on."

'New insight'

Howard Geoffrey, from Skanska, said the suit is complimentary to input from disabled groups.

"There is nothing like appreciating mobility than by having it taken away.

"To take away the architect's mobility, he then experiences himself the difficulties, so when he's putting pen to paper to actually design the room, he has a new insight into the problems real people have in the hospital."

Brian Ible, assistant chief executive of Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "I think you require a whole range of different tools to get the hospital as best you can.

"We're really trying to capture the range of mobility problems.

"The more input the better the quality - the mobility suit is just one aid."