NEWS
Vision panels feature artwork
Good observation while maintaining privacy and dignity, anti-ligature features, and the panels’ ability to incorporate artwork, were among the key factors in the specification, by the project manager on the scheme, of Vistamatic vision panels incorporating a different flower for each bedroom for the newly refurbished Suite 3 Dementia Ward at Tonna Hospital in Neath, South Wales, Keen to find ‘something new and innovative’
when planning the works, Marcus Eyre, project manager, Capital Planning, at the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, attended a Mental Health and Dementia Facilities Forum where he met with Vistamatic, and saw one of its new anti-ligature vision panels with artwork
on show. Following a meeting and demonstration, the Vistamatic vision panels were directly specified at the Trust’s request Vistamatic said: “The Trust was confident that the innovative new design – with different flowers in the panels for each bedroom – would help with recollection, helping the service-users to identify their bedrooms with more confidence.” Marcus Eyre said: “Vistamatic vision panels
were specified for the Dementia Unit as a result of the company’s well-established record of providing reliable security, privacy, and protection, in sensitive environments such as this facility. They provide a practical solution, while respecting service-users’ privacy and
A considerable contribution made
Design in Mental Health 2016 saw Wallgate showcase new ‘dementia- friendly’ products including a WC flush, basin taps, and a shower, that purposely look, feel, and behave, ‘normal’ and ‘familiar’ to those with dementia. Wallgate said: “All are invisibly controlled
electronically, while retaining their normal operation. They intelligently control patient usage to maximise efficiencies and lower flooding risk, automatically undertake anti- Legionella purging, and record data for analysis.” Technical sales manager, Robert Kimber, said: “Most of the 70 healthcare estates management and engineering and architectural professionals who visited our stand were drawn to our ‘dementia-friendly’ products.”
Wallgate’s MD, Trevor
Powell, participated in the conference’s ‘The Use of Technology in Service User Environments’ presentation, describing how Wallgate has been at the forefront in creating “a range of innovative, safe, and robust products that assist in
normalising environments where users often need to feel ‘at home’ and safe”. The company was also ‘extremely proud’ of
its contribution in this year’s DIMH Awards; it is UK distributor for the GalvinCare anti- ligature shower valve with electronic activator, winner of the Product Innovation Award, while the new Endcliffe PICU in Sheffield – which won the ‘Refurbishment Project of the Year Award’ – features its WCs with contrasting seats, handwash basins, and recessed handwash units.
Furniture for ‘challenging environments’
Furniture supplier, Teal, has launched a 96-page ‘Solutions for Challenging environments’ brochure detailing ‘innovative collections designed for client risk levels up to high risk security environments’. Teal says its ‘innovative products’ help
transform environments, and create ‘bright, contemporary, and non-clinical interiors that complement the latest service-user-led design thinking’. New soft seating ranges include Maldive
(pictured), a new modular seating range which enables users to ‘design and build’ their own modular units, with options available in three specification levels up to a fully boarded X-specification model. Upholstery is available with seat and back cushion options, and ‘Plus+ Complete upholstery’ with sewn-in seams – to prevent concealment and facilitate cleaning. Portobello security dining and coffee tables feature X-specification as standard, and are ‘difficult to grasp, manoeuvre and pick up’, with fully upholstered sides and a choice of top options. Jetson is a ‘sensory motion’ rocking chair
with a non-clinical, contemporary appearance, to suit settings including learning disabilities and rehabilitation environments, while Astra Quantum+ is a new ‘highly durable and extremely robust’ security armchair and sofa collection, designed and developed for West London Mental Health NHS Trust and installed at the Trust’s St. Bernard’s Hospital in Uxbridge.
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dignity, and promoting recovery and independence. The anti-ligature panels incorporating the artwork will play a vital role within the refurbished ward. The staff know and trust the product, and rely heavily on it when it comes to performing their day-to-day care duties.”
Thames Lodge’s
extensive outdoor space Thames Lodge, a new £60 million mental health building at St Bernard’s Hospital, Ealing, designed by David Morley Architects, and built by Kier, has opened. Part of the hospital’s redevelopment (The
Network – July 2015), the unit sits alongside the existing regional secure unit (RSU) and Wells Unit on the site, surrounded by a secure perimeter, with one single entrance to create the Three Bridges Medium Secure Campus. Vivienne Mowatt, redevelopment
programme director, West London Mental Health NHS Trust, explained: “Designed to be both safe and inviting, the new Medium Secure Unit contains five wards, all with different colour schemes chosen by service-users, to help people find their way around.” The 80-bed unit has an on-site primary
healthcare suite with clinics including GP and dental services, and a gym. The 8,000 m² adult men’s unit is arranged in five ‘fingers’ extending from the north wall/circulation spine into the garden space between the new building and the existing RSU and Wells Unit. This allowed the creation of a significant new area of garden space between the ‘fingers’, including five ward gardens, a large central communal garden, a multi-use games area, and a horticultural area. There are also two roof gardens with seating areas and trees. Thames Lodge also houses a central
‘community hub’ – the Riverside Centre – also designed by David Morley Architects, offering work and training opportunities The design team also included arts and
health consultants, Willis Newson, landscape architects, Fabrik, Kier, and AECOM.
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