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are undergoing examination or treatment.
Aesthetically, the polished stainless steel
framed vision panels chosen for this
refurbishment complemented the stylish decor
of the theatres and matched the stainless steel
kick plates. The contrasting blue hardware
created a sanitised look, as well as acting as an
aid to visual recognition.
Epsom General Hospital is just one example
of how healthcare institutions have embraced
this product to enhance natural surveillance for
a number of reasons. As well as being able to
control access into areas such as operating
theatres, being able to observe without
disturbance helps control a situation which may
be emotional or sensitive.
Also, being able to survey an area through a
secure vision panel provides added protection
to the staff as they can alert security without
having to open the door.
Unison has said that almost nine out of ten
health service staff worry about violence at work.
Therefore, enhancing access control systems with
natural surveillance can be reassuring and help
create a calmer atmosphere. Added security can
be gained with secure vision panels through key
restricted operating systems.
The Safer Schools and Hospitals tool kit
provided by crimereduction.gov.uk gives
Discreet Vision
organisations guidelines to develop a spatial
understanding of a site to identify potential
problem areas. It evaluates how well movement
is controlled into and out of a building, how
people move around the building interior and
hospital can see through a door before entering whether the layout supports or hinders the
ohn Nerden, Managing which provides added protection and can control of movement and natural surveillance.
Director of Vistamatic, discreetly observe activity without disturbance. Secure vision panels provide an ideal solution in
discusses how natural One hospital which has incorporated these helping to remedy those problem areas to
surveillance can be achieved secure vision panels is Epsom General Hospital. create a safer environment for all.
Jwith innovative design. They installed 54 panels during a refurbishment Advances in design also equip this product to
of five operating theatres. meet structural needs and complement existing
Providing a safe environment for staff and Burren & Whitaker (Construction) Ltd were architecture, for example, there is now the
visitors within a hospital is a high priority. responsible for undertaking several of the option of a square, oblong or a round vision
However, controlling access is difficult as so refurbishment schemes as part of the Trust’s panel which has a much softer appearance.
many people pass through the building and ongoing improvement programme. Easily installed, secure vision panels are cost
identifying intruders is an issue. It often falls Director Crawford McFerran worked closely with effective and can be tailored according to
onto the shoulders of the staff to be vigilant at Epsom & St Helier University Hospitals’ NHS requirement and location to include bespoke
all times, and the ability to react quickly to Trust design manager to develop an overall glazing features such as fire rated, laser proof,
suspect or aggressive behaviour is a hard task solution for the new doors and frames that X-ray and bulletproof glass.
within such a pressurised environment. would meet the durability and cleanliness Safety looks set to remain at the top of the
Everyone is so busy inside hospitals that requirements necessary for an operating theatre agenda, to protect and preserve the welfare of all
thieves often go unnoticed, in fact according to environment. The hardwood doors throughout personnel in a diverse range of sectors.
an article written by The British Security the operating suites were measured and cut to With such a wide choice of frames, styles and
Association in 2006, it’s been estimated that size for the round vision panels to be fitted, finishes, there are now infinite design possibilities
crime costs the NHS more than £1 million every before a special hydro clad surface finish was for this product to be incorporated not just in
week and that several hospitals reported that applied to aid effective cleaning and to provide hospitals, but any type of environment.
190
mundane items such as linen are frequent a very resilient finish. The ingenuity of these
objects of theft. panels was that vision can be accessed via an
Artificial surveillance (CCTV) provides elbow operated lever helping to reduce the risk
valuable evidence and if monitored regularly will of contamination.
intercept crime. Natural surveillance is also key In the open position the vision panels give
to crime prevention which can be enhanced by staff inside the room the opportunity to observe
effective wayfinding schemes and clear the person wishing to enter before allowing
signage. Being able to monitor areas which are admission. In the closed position, whilst light
secluded, or obscured by a door has also been can still permeate, the through-vision is
made possible with the introduction of the completely obscured for complete privacy.
secure vision panel. Aided by the vision panels, medical staff at
A secure vision panel is a simple device Epsom General Hospital can now observe from
which allows the user to gain a clear view in or both sides in order to keep a discreet watch on
out of a room, or to obscure the vision for patients and to prevent doors from being
complete privacy. This means that staff within a opened accidentally, particularly when patients
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