NEWS


‘Outstanding contribution honoured’ in Salford


The University of Salford has awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree to Visiting Professor, Dr John Zeisel, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the research and treatment of dementia and related illnesses, and his achievements in helping people live well with dementia. Dr Zeisel, scientific advisor to


said: “Despite his illustrious interdisciplinary academic career, Dr John Zeisel is not an academic who sits in an ivory tower. He is a shining example of a passionate academic who puts theory into practice for the public good.” Dr Zeisel is President of


the Salford Institute for Dementia, and Visiting Professor at Salford’s School of the Built Environment, said: “This great honour is not only mine, but belongs as well to all those in the UK and globally working hard to provide non-pharmacological – often arts and community-based – opportunities for those living with dementia so that they may have a life worth living, which is their human right.” Professor Maggie Pearson, the University’s


Pro Vice Chancellor for Public Benefit, and Dean of the College of Health & Social Care,


Dr John Zeisel.


Hearthstone Alzheimer Care, manages six assisted living residences for people living with Alzheimer’s in New York and


Massachusetts, and the not-for-profit I’m Still Here Foundation, which promotes non- pharmacological treatment approaches for dementia, including design of the physical environment, music, communication, caregiver education, and art. After receiving his doctorate in


Sociology from Columbia University and a Loeb Fellow degree from Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, Dr Zeisel taught at Yale University, Montréal’s McGill


Patient control, safety, and security


Designing an environment to protect vulnerable young people with mental health needs, with a calming and rehabilitating feel, requires thoughtful, considered design. When the clinical team at Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMW) set about replacing the existing McGuiness unit with a new adolescent inpatient mental health facility, in


Prestwich –‘Junction 17’ – they turned to glazing specialist, Fendor, for window supply.


Having considered the best choice


from a patient, clinician, and Trust standpoint, Fendor’s patented CleanVent window was chosen – it offers anti-ligature protection, and gives patients control over natural ventilation. The embedded frame allows access for cleaning, it is simple to operate, and has a large clear pane. The CleanVent provided the high level of thermal performance needed without compromising safety or security. Fendor also installed curtain walling, and top hung windows to communal, supervised areas.


Link-sash window launched


Polar Healthcare Windows has launched a link-sash window as part of its specialised ligature reduction range. The company said: “This new design offers


safe and very easy operation. When lifting the lower sash, the upper sash automatically opens to the same amount, offering maximum air circulation from minimum opening. The window can be freely opened to 125 mm, and locked closed, or in the 125 mm open position. Fitted with a double shoot-bolt locking, it gives maximum security.” Polar Healthcare Windows is part of Polar


(NE), a Teesside-based company specialising in the fabrication and installation of commercial


University, and Harvard University’s School of Architecture. Since 2008, he has been a member of the Comité Pedagogique de l’enseignement at the Sorbonne Pierre & Marie Curie University in Paris, where he teaches in the University Diploma course on Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders: Cognitive Approaches, Psychotherapies, Behaviours, and Environmental Design.


Consultation workshop on safer products


Last year BRE and DIMHN announced their intention to collaborate in developing standards for safer products for such settings. Chris Hall, the BRE’s


Health Sector lead, said: “It had become clear that the creation and adoption of nationally agreed guidance and standards, currently largely lacking, would significantly improve product performance, meaning safer environments for service-users, and reducing the need for multiple testing, thus lowering costs.” To take things forward, the BRE Trust has agreed


Chris Hall.


to fund an ‘invitation-only’ stakeholder consultation workshop, in Liverpool, on 27 January this year – involving around 60 stakeholders, including care provider organisations, service-users, carers, building and facility operators, designers, and those responsible for mental healthcare policy, quality, and health and safety. The workshop’s goal will be to define sector needs, issues, and priorities, via an ‘open forum’ discussion. DIMHN added: “Due to the sector’s multi-


faceted nature, there is a need for a consensual approach to agreeing what needs to be done or provided, and what does and does not work. The workshop outcome will be a draft consultation report, which will then be circulated more widely. Feedback and comments will be used to fine-tune the final report – which will include an outline brief for the standards development, probably initially focusing on anti-ligature aspects of windows and doors. It is anticipated that the report will be published by this summer. “The development of the standards will be a


follow-on activity, based on the recommendations. We hope the standards will be available for use by early 2017.” DIMHN and BRE will establish an Advisory


aluminium windows, doors, and curtain walling. Its ligature reduction windows have been developed over seven years. The new windows come with several additional colour options.


Panel to progress the development stage, and anticipate the need for future-proofing and pilot studies. They will also be seeking mental healthcare provider organisations to get involved at the development stage. Organisations and individuals keen to be


involved in the consultation process and development stages can register an interest at: www.dimhn.org/contact-us


THE NETWORK January 2015 9


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