WALL PROTECTION AND IPS UNITS
other design characteristics, are exactly as required. We can supply our BioPod IPS panels in a range of sizes, shapes, and colours, and deliver them either direct to site for installation, say, by an NHS Trust’s Estates & Facilities team, or to an external contractor. With their one-piece design, they are quicker and easier to install than an IPS unit comprising several sections.” Claire Redhead explained that BioClad is
always receptive to customer suggestions on how its products can be improved – the IPS units being no exception. She said: “For example, some healthcare specifiers have asked us to improve the access panel. As a result, we can now produce them in a way that further simplifies access to the pipework. We have also slightly altered the design by incorporating drillholes the whole length of the panel, giving greater flexibility in the siting of the brackets behind, and again, simplifying installation.”
Extending its reach into mental healthcare Having predominantly supplied its IPS units in healthcare to acute and primary care facilities in the past, BioClad is now looking to step up its supply of the units into the mental healthcare sector, and particularly acute mental health facilities. It has recently been working with a number of architects to develop versions of the BioPod with reduced ligature risk.
testing through the BRE and DiMHN’s jointly developed Informed Choices product performance assessment scheme for products used in mental health settings. These discussions are ongoing, and we are hopeful of a fruitful outcome.
An accessible washhand basin with mounted handwash dispenser in the hatch.
Claire Redhead elaborated: “To date, to our knowledge, there has been no self- certification scheme for the anti-ligature performance of IPS units. However, we have recently been talking with the two organisations about the potential for
Simulated attack “What we have done so far is to talk to some architects and other key professionals within the NHS working in mental healthcare, and a number of NHS Trusts, about how we can optimally manufacture IPS units with reduced ligature characteristics suitable for use in acute mental health. To evaluate, and indeed demonstrate, the resilience and robustness of our BioPod units, we have conducted some tests in the new York production facility.” Claire Redhead explained that these have included subjecting the IPS panels to 10 blows with a large mallet, 10 subsequent blows with a hammer, and a further 10 with a sizeable piece of wood, to evaluate their strength and ability to resist damage, from say, an agitated or distressed service-user armed with some form of ‘weapon’. She said: “We were pleased to note that following this sustained attack, none of the panels splintered, suggesting a low risk of parts of them being removed and used to inflict self-harm or harm to others. We have also created an IPS panel with a sloping top to
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February 2023 Health Estate Journal 57
howorthgroup.com
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