INFECTION PREVENTION
Maternity ward at Halland Hospital in Varberg, Sweden.
example, high-turnover A&E or maternity wards can see rapid payback due to reduced operational downtime and cleaning expenses. Capital purchasers increasingly favour TCO-based
evaluations over upfront pricing. With hospital budgets under continued pressure, cost-effective procurement decisions must account for lifecycle efficiency, not just purchase price.
Real-world impact: 10 projects that define the future Silentia’s recent global installations demonstrate the wide applicability of privacy screens across care settings. In 2024, the company delivered over 10 high-profile projects, each tailored to specific clinical, design, and hygiene needs: n Torrance Memorial, California, USA – Mobile bed-end screens with calming photographic imagery enhanced radiology spaces.
n Iowa Clinic, South Waukee, USA – Forest-themed wall-mounted folding screens supported a more comfortable pre-operative patient journey.
n Blekinge Hospital, Sweden – Reception areas featured artwork-integrated screens to humanise outpatient environments.
Furthermore, Silentia’s manufacturing facility runs on
Abdel Amneina
Abdel Amneina is Business Development manager at Silentia UK. With a passion for healthcare innovation and infection prevention, he supports NHS and HSE hospitals in modernising their patient privacy systems. Abdel works closely
with estates teams, facilities managers, and infection control leads to translate Silentia’s eco-friendly, easy-to- clean screen solutions into measurable hospital benefits. Known for his hands-on, consultative approach, Abdel regularly assists with hospital installations, live product demos, and strategic planning to improve patient safety and sustainability across healthcare environments.
100% renewable energy, and the company is actively involved in carbon footprint and circular product design initiatives, including the reuse of modular components across multiple hospital installations. Though privacy screens require a higher initial investment than curtains, the total cost of ownership (TCO) is often far lower over time. Key cost reductions include: n No laundering or disposal costs. n No recurring curtain purchases. n Fewer staff hours spent on cleaning logistics. n Less disruption to patient care during room changes. n Extended product lifespan (10+ years).
A typical return on investment is achieved in 1-3 years depending on screen deployment and use-case. For
n Hackettstown Medical Center, New Jersey, USA – Folding screens incorporated local mountain motifs and hospital branding.
n Overbrook School for the Blind, Pennsylvania, USA – Customisable shower screens ensured accessibility, privacy, and dignity for all students.
n Le Noirmont Cardiology Clinic, Switzerland – Folding screens concealed in custom cabinets enabled discreet, hygienic patient separation.
n Narvik Hospital, Norway – Paediatric and adult wards used modular screens themed around the local coastline.
n Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden – Wall-mounted screens provided privacy and nature immersion in waiting areas.
n Summit Health Physiotherapy, Oregon, USA – Folding screens with alpine landscapes supported rehabilitation in an open-plan therapy gym.
n El Camino Health, California, USA – Emergency department screens were designed to reduce visual clutter while maximising patient comfort.
Curtains may remain standard in many NHS facilities, but their limitations are now undeniable. While antimicrobial versions mark a modest improvement, hard- surface privacy screens represent a complete rethinking of what patient privacy can – and should – deliver
168 Health Estate Journal October 2025
Each project began with digital layout planning using Silentia’s EasyScreenDesign tool, ensuring clinical usability and architectural fit. Hospitals benefited from improved staff workflow, lower cleaning demands, and consistent patient feedback praising the calming visuals and enhanced privacy.
A maternity revolution: The power of waves One particularly poignant case comes from Varberg, Sweden, where Halland Hospital’s maternity ward installed Silentia screens featuring a sunset ocean scene. The rationale went beyond aesthetics: midwives noted that the rhythm of waves mirrored the natural cadence of contractions – building, peaking, and ebbing – providing visual reassurance during a vulnerable time. The birthing suite’s atmosphere shifted palpably. Screens added privacy without enclosing the space, allowing partners and staff to maintain eye contact and support. They also made examinations and room transitions more
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