Standards Development


comforting, friendly environments are essential for better rehabilitation and patient welfare. • Good practice approaches Environments are often under extreme challenge from their occupants. Lack of, or conflicting, guidance and specification, result in inconsistency. Products are often not fit for mental healthcare, and low cost is not the same as best value. Properly evaluated products that meet service-user requirements improve performance and reduce cost due to quality and repeatability. We should look at why things have evolved this way. • Safety Patients need to feel safe and secure, and in their ‘own environment’, so there should be the opportunity to personalise. They should not feel at risk, but neither should they feel they are ‘living in a goldfish bowl’. Safety systems and staff response need to be discreet – but there if you need them. Furnishings should be robust and fit for purpose. The challenge is creating an accessible space without ligature points while achieving disability inclusion. • Good acoustics Fixtures and fittings should not compromise acoustic performance, or the balance between privacy and general noise levels. Careful consideration should also be given to adjacencies. • Aesthetically pleasing The right environment feels safe, comforting, and friendly; healing spaces are an essential part of ‘treatment’. Aesthetics are important – surroundings and furnishings need to be human, homely, and domestic. Think about


Table 2: Potential outcomes from standards and guidance Positive outcomes from standards/guidance Negative outcomes from standards/guidance Constant outcomes


The resulting products do what is required Reduces costs to single product testing Frames requirements, leading to better


outcomes Shows which standards to use where


Standards are adopted across the care system Improved healthcare environment


use of quiet spaces, but be aware of proportion, as large, bare rooms are not appealing. Colour can soften clinical environments which are otherwise not restful and comforting. Good design layout is light and airy, with fittings and furniture in proportion, and chosen to enhance the space. Fluorescent lighting is not homely. Daylight and nature are important, as are structuring the building to accommodate activities, and the use of natural materials. • ‘Normalising’ the environment We must create environments that resonate a sense of normality and familiarity, so that patients can easily return to the community. They need to fit in with patients’ lifestyles; one size does not fit all. There is a need to engender a culture of engagement with staff and patients to improve physical and mental wellbeing – observing and reacting by taking out anything that upsets people, and incorporate more art,


and minimise signs of security. Unhappy staff impact on patient wellbeing, so it is important to create decent staff working environments too. Listen to, and respect, patients’ and staff’s needs and preferences, and design buildings around them holistically. Consultation results in good outcomes; but can there be too much of it? Manufacturers can contribute lessons learned from other project experience. • Covert versus overt monitoring There is a balance to be struck between covert and overt monitoring. Paranoia can be created if observation equipment is hidden, and an intrusive feel if equipment is too visible or overcomplicated, and in ‘personal’ spaces. Jingling keys are a reminder of incarceration, and a secure metal box is not the solution to engender dignity and health. Designing out the need for chaperoning and restraint is a pre- requisite.


Too prescriptive Not flexible


Costly testing


Manufacturers design to standards, not to achieve better outcomes


Inappropriate, leading to more cost, rather than better products


A complete range of HTM 02-01 MGPS Operational Management services:


 BTEC Accredited Full and Refresher Authorised Person (AP) training.


Tel: 0845 652 4901 info@mgps-services.com


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 BTEC Accredited Competent Person (CP) training.  Competent Person Refresher training.  Cylinder Awareness Porter training/Nurse training.  Designated Nurse Officer (DNO) and Designated Medical Officer (DMO) training.


 Dental Air and Vacuum training (DAVs).  HTM 02-01 (Part A) Compliance survey, report and risk assessment.


 Site-specific Operational Policies & Procedures.  Policy implementation and assistance setting up Medical Gas Committee.


 Authorising Engineer services (operational management audit (Part B) and AP assessments).


 Authorised Person services (AP cover for your hospital).  Medical Gas project management.  MGPS As-Fitted and/or Schematic drawing service.


“Independence you can depend upon” THE NETWORK April 2015 19


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