SAFETY
When activated, the personal infrared transmitter emits signals to receiver units installed within the hospital’s ceiling. These signals are then delivered as information to devices such as mobiles, pagers and display units, alerting responders to the exact location.
distracting patients, while still serving as a vital safety tool.
Our physical environment can either exacerbate
or alleviate stress, anxiety and agitation – factors that are particularly relevant in mental healthcare settings. Environments that feel safe, organised and have access to natural light help reduce confusion and distress in patients, enabling staff to focus on care delivery rather than managing avoidable stressors. However, therapeutic design must always be balanced
with robust safety considerations. Healthcare facilities should feel welcoming and non-institutional, while still allowing effective supervision and swift access to assistance when required.
At Pinpoint, we have responded to the increasing
emphasis on therapeutic design with more streamlined, discreet devices that better complement the facilities in which they are found. A modern, deliberately unobtrusive design prevents safety alarms from distressing or
Sustainability and long-term value Sustainability is now a central consideration in healthcare design, driven by both environmental responsibility and financial pressures on estates. In mental health settings, sustainable design must support resilience over the long term, ensuring buildings remain adaptable, efficient and economical to operate as models of care evolve.
Designed with care: case study
King’s College Hospital is one of London’s largest and busiest hospitals, providing a range of healthcare services to approximately one million patients each year. With 900 beds across more than 20 wards and a major trauma centre, the hospital welcomes patients from across the globe to receive specialist and pioneering treatments.
Violence toward healthcare workers is a longstanding issue in the NHS, with one in seven frontline staff members reportedly experiencing physical abuse from patients in 2024. King’s College London has been at the
forefront of protecting its now 150,000 employees. The hospital originally procured safety measures to better protect its workforce 30 years ago after reports of violent behaviour towards staff in its A&E department. Open 24 hours a day, with multiple teams working different shifts to cover 24/7 operations, King’s College Hospital required a solution that was easy to use and available to all staff throughout the shift. The large A&E department, comprising multiple rooms, a reception and bathroom facilities, necessitated extensive coverage and a precise service, ensuring a response could be correctly allocated in the event of an incident. Our safety system was initially installed within the A&E department in 1995. Staff were each given personal infrared transmitters (PITs), discreet alarm devices that can be quickly charged and worn by employees throughout the shift, to be activated when required in the event of an attack or high-risk incident. The PITs come in two forms: the standard PIT, which is clipped onto the wearer’s
68 Health Estate Journal November 2026
uniform and is activated by pulling the body of the device from its retaining pin. The Badge PIT is held within a badge ID holder to conceal its presence from members of the public. Here, a large central button on the reverse side of the device triggers the emergency call. When activated, the PIT emits signals
to receiver units installed within the hospital’s ceiling. These signals are then delivered as information to devices such as mobiles, pagers and display units, alerting responders to the exact location. All hospital staff were given
comprehensive training on how to use
the system and the protocol in place for responding to incidents. The accuracy and speed with which
the system works, identifying and communicating the location of an active alarm call in seconds, enabled swift intervention during high-risk incidents, preventing aggressive behaviour from escalating. And, as a result, healthcare workers could focus on delivering high- quality care to improve treatment outcomes. It has now been installed across King’s College Hospital’s 20-plus wards and departments, providing full coverage for staff on site.
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