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Design in Mental Health 2016 Show Preview


Making life-critical design choices


According to the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide by People with Mental Illness (University of Manchester, March 2015), in the UK over the past seven years an average of 18 inpatients committed suicide while under some level of observation, often by hanging in their bedroom. Fendor, which manufactures specialist windows for mental healthcare facilities, said: “Such a frightening statistic means making the most appropriate design choices for patient rooms is life-critical. We have amassed extensive experience in the design, manufacture, and installation, of specialist windows for mental healthcare. Our windows


have, for example, been selected by Kier Major Projects and West London Mental Health NHS Trust for the current redevelopment of Broadmoor Hospital.” Alongside its specialist windows, Fendor offers a


comprehensive range of security doors, as well as standard systems, and curtain walling. The range includes the patented CleanVent with either inward or outward opening, the latter being ligature free, ‘for easy maintenance and cleaning without compromising either safety or security’. Fendor added: “With windows and doors tested to LPS1175 and up to SR4, no other UK manufacturer offers such an extensive range.”


Solutions for protecting people


Manufacturer of anti-ligature solutions and door/wall protection products, Intastop, will once again showcase its extensive range. Sarah Barsby, marketing director, said:


“The Design in Mental Health exhibition allows us to present our range to professionals keen to alter and update their facilities to ensure staff and service-user safety and security. Intastop’s underlying philosophy is to provide protection for people; whether staff or service-users, our solutions can ensure their comfort and safety at all times.” Among innovations shown will be the


IVision Panel and Door Top Alarm. Sarah Barsby said: “IVision is a ground-breaking, manually-operated vision panel, ideally suited to healthcare establishments where privacy and safety are paramount importance. When


open, it provides almost perfect visibility – at 92% open double that of other competitor panels – while when closed it offers total blackout.”


The company’s anti-ligature Door Top Alarm, meanwhile, was developed to prevent attempted suicide from the tops of doors. The ‘tamper-proof’ system uses a sensory pad installed at the top of a standard door. If weight is applied, it alerts staff via an audible alarm, visible light, staff indicator panel, or a pager or main computer.


Facilities challenge perceptions and stigmas


Gilling Dod Architects has recently completed two mental health schemes for Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust at Prestwich Hospital north east of Manchester. The first, The Curve, is described as ‘a ground- breaking, community-facing mental health resource hub specifically designed to support vulnerable people living in the community, and to challenge the stigmas present in society around mental health’. Gilling Dod said: “The £5 m building represents the changing face of modern mental health services, embodying the ‘holistic’ approach to recovery pathways and mental wellbeing. The design reflects a philosophy of long-term care based around accessible, positive, and meaningful community engagement. With the patient experience, individual need, and access


14 THE NETWORK Ap r i l 2 0 16


Value for end-users


Having begun life in the life in the ‘niche’ mental health fenestration market with its ‘multi award-winning’ Safevent window, Warrington-based commercial glazing manufacturer and installer, Britplas, says its reputation has grown, and it now manages multi-million pound commercial glazing contracts.


The company said: “We have an excellent track record in completing both refurbishment and new-build projects, with full accreditation and experience to work in challenging ‘live’ environments.” Among Britplas innovations have been the Safevent window, and fencing and ‘anti-climb’ solutions designed specifically for mental health environments. “More recent projects have seen us work closely with clients to produce bespoke façade solutions to meet aesthetic, functional, and financial briefs – all part of the end-to-end Britplas process,” the glazing specialist explained. “The concept of a building as a place of practical purpose and positive enrichment lies behind all we do, and, as such, we produce solutions that address a building’s sustainability, lifecycle, and energy performance, with a real focus on adding value for end-users.”


Knightsbridge sponsors


at its heart, the design is intentionally simple and clear.” The second facility, the


Lowry Unit, is a 30-bed low secure unit. Gilling Dod said:


“It is a great example of delivering patient- focused, innovative, and healing environments in secure mental health settings. It demonstrates what is possible by adopting a sensible approach to risk, and the real benefits of an integrated interior design approach from the outset – ensuring light, airy spaces that are safe and secure, and calming and therapeutic.”


after-dinner speaker Former British heavyweight boxer and mental health campaigner, Frank Bruno, will host the 2016 Design in Mental Health Awards dinner thanks to sponsorship from specialist furniture manufacturer, Knightsbridge. Alongside supporting Frank Bruno in his role as compère, Knightsbridge will be exhibiting at the DIMH event for the fourth time, showcasing its specialist furniture collections, with a particular focus on ranges ‘expertly designed and crafted for mental health environments’. The company’s furniture ‘can be specially created to cater for a host of requirements’. Designed with users in mind, and with clinical input, the collections ‘promote safety and security while ensuring a stylish design’. Alan Towns, CEO, said: “The Design in Mental Health Conference and Exhibition presents a great opportunity for us to showcase our bespoke collections of furniture for challenging environments. We’re very proud to also be sponsoring Frank Bruno, who has become an ambassador for mental health issues. Visitors to our stand will be able to see the innovation and expertise that goes into making each one of our collections.”


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