access


New hoist installation provides fuller access to facilities


programme to ensure that children with complex and severe mobility needs can access the specialist learning environments throughout the building. Danish mobility company Ergolet has installed its Luna overhead hoisting system – featuring the wall-mounted E- track – in 18 rooms at the school, including classrooms, toilets, the hydrotherapy pool and changing areas. The system covers the full length and breadth of each room allowing the most severely disabled, who are usually reliant on floor hoists or fixed-track overhead systems, to reach all corners of the room.


K


Transfer The E-tracks are fitted on opposite walls along the length of each room, a traverse track is fitted to the E-track to span the width of the room, and the Luna lifting unit is connected to the traverse rail. The flexibility of the system allows the Luna ‘pod’ to be transferred simply and quickly from one room, or system, to another. A hand-held remote control device controls lifting and lowering, while carers at the school can assist with movement around the room. In the hydrotherapy pool suite, the


portability of the lifting unit and wall- mounted tracking means unsightly and space intensive mobility equipment does not have to be a permanent feature poolside. Unlike fixed ceiling tracks, the layout of


furniture can be altered with the changing needs of the user, which can be vital in a learning environment. Ergolet’s David Lomas commented: “The


original buildings date back to the 70s, so to make the overhead hoists work together with the old building and the new build project, it would have been necessary to install additional cumbersome and costly steel beams. By using E-track, installation time can be reduced by 70%, giving a real cost saving.” Cath Croke, Moving and Handling Manager at the school, added: “Floor mounted mobile hoists aren’t suitable in soft play areas, for example, so this


70 educationdab.co.uk


INGFISHER Community Special School in Oldham has undergone a multi-million pound refurbishment


The system covers the full length and breadth of each room


system literally means that all pupils, whatever their mobility issues, have the opportunity to access all the learning environments throughout the school. “Three point spreaders which have been used here have also made a big difference transferring pupils quickly and


safely and make for a more dignified journey than using traditional two point units which can often cause discomfort to pupils.”


www.ergolet.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84