News
A case for post-occupancy evaluation
Mental Health lead at architectural and design practice, IBI, Group, Wendy de Silva, has questioned why Post-Occupancy Evaluations (POEs) are not more commonplace, and called for the mental health sector ‘to join the dots’ and develop a forum in which the results of POEs can be shared. The architect, who will speak on the subject at Design in Mental Health 2018 (see pages 17-26), said: “Up to this point, there has been no systemic way to measure outputs and share information on mental health buildings. For networks like DIMHN, such a resource would surely help like-minded individuals to push boundaries and deliver best practice.” She points out that ‘there are a number of bodies that advocate feedback’, explaining: “For example, the Government Soft Landings programme requires measures of success to be defined, and actual performance to be
‘Pollution-reducing’ coating launched
A new ‘pollution-absorbing paint technology’ that comes in the form of a paint or clear coating, can be applied both internally and externally, is said by the Swiss company behind it to be ‘easy-to-use and scientifically proven’, and which ‘turns walls and surfaces into a natural air purifier’, is now available in the UK.
Airlite SRL says Airlite is ‘100% natural,
entirely water-soluble, and VOC-free’, and will eliminate up to 88.8% of air pollution – by neutralising gases such as nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide. It also neutralises odours, repels dust and airborne dirt, and ‘eliminates 99.9% of bacteria – by blocking the growth of mould and microbes, and removing airborne germs and antibiotic- resistant superbugs’.
The company said: “Applying it on a
100 m2 surface reduces air pollution as effectively as an area of 100 m2 planted with mature trees.” Airlite began life in 2003 when Italian scientist, Massimo Bernadoni, began investigating the growing issue of air pollutants and their effect on world health. By using a mineral- based powder formula, rather than a liquid suspension, he was able to remove polymers from the base product, thus enabling the coating to work effectively, ‘while reducing any potential hazardous by-products to a simple, safe, salt solution’.
measured against planned measures, while ProCure21+ and ProCure22 have developed a new ‘toolkit’ which aims to capture measures the built environment can influence and support. “This includes a comprehensive four-page
dashboard that captures the physical environment, functional content, activity levels, functionality, and effectiveness of a building.
“The Mitford Unit in Morpeth will be one of the first projects to benefit from the insightful feedback from this toolkit. The ProCure22 toolkit also incorporates a section that captures project-specific Benefits Realisation Plans. For example, the Plan developed for Woodland View, a 206-bed mental health unit in Irvine, Scotland (pictured), reported on SMART outcomes (specific, measureable, achievable, realistic, timely), measured a year after the facility opened. Ten headline benefits were identified – including strategic and clinical outcomes, reducing stigma, delivering future flexibility and functionality, and a safer working and clinical environment. Overall these posted very positive results. Interestingly, one area of innovation – a shared resource area – was not being fully utilised. Spotlighting such issues enables Trusts to investigate the causes, and make adjustments to improve health outcomes.”
Windows ‘tick all the boxes’ for Cygnet
Cygnet Hospital Harrogate is a long-established mental health hospital that provides support and treatment for both NHS and privately- funded patients. A recent decision to
replace and upgrade the windows there led to the specification of specialist units from Crittall Fendor, specialist in high security fenestration. “We chose Crittall Fendor windows as they are recognised as the benchmark standard in patient safety,” said Cygnet director of Development and Facilities, Tom Wilson. “The industry is aware that the company’s CleanVent window is the best one; it ticks all the boxes.” Developed ‘as a response to the specific needs of clinicians working in secure mental health hospitals’, the CleanVent is designed to maintain security
while being cleaned, and provides no projection to which a ligature can be fixed. The robust window is available in steel, aluminium, or a hybrid of both.
“In terms of the strength of the windows and the practicality of cleaning them, it leaves the competition standing,” said Tom Wilson. For the Harrogate contract Crittall Fendor worked directly for Cygnet, removing the
original windows and installing the new ones. Aluminium CleanVents were specified, except for for the front elevation, where taller, narrower steel-aluminium SwingVents were used. Tom Wilson explained: “These offer the same characteristics as the CleanVent, but the design is more flexible, and enabled us to meet the aesthetic requirements of the local planners.”
Key appointment for Teal in the north
Healthcare furniture specialist, Teal, has welcomed Vicky Taylor to its LifeCare Team as Interior Solutions manager for the Northern Region, as it looks to strengthen its focus not only on challenging environments, but also on consultative design. Based in Lancashire, she will have
responsibility for the ‘LifeCare’ brand and Teal’s award-winning range of furniture and interior solutions for CAMHS, older adults, Learning disabilities, PICU, medium secure, eating disorders, autism, and dementia settings. She joins Teal with extensive experience designing
6 THE NETWORK APRIL 2018
for multiple sectors, with a particular focus on healthcare and challenging environments. With previous experience as Interior Design associate at Gilling Dod Architects, she successfully led the Interior Design team there for the previous 14 years. Teal is preferred framework
Vicky Taylor.
approved supplier to NHS England and Wales (NHS Furniture for Challenging Environments and Multi-sensory Equipment), with an established projects team, and ‘a proven track record in supplying and installing stylish, contemporary interiors’.
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