NEWS COVER STORY


The ‘pioneering’ modular mental health bedroom built by leading healthcare construction firm, Darwin Group, is returning to the Design in Mental Health event next month for a second year. Bedroom Evolved was hailed as a best-in-class solution at last year’s annual DiMHN event on its launch. Since then, the team behind it has made several improvements based on feedback – to furniture, lighting, flooring, and colour palette changes. Created by Darwin Group, in collaboration with Safehinge Primera and Tough Furniture, the bedroom reportedly ‘sets a new bar for acceptable mental health bedroom design standards’. Darwin Group Principal architect, Louis Sullivan, part of the Bedroom Evolved team, said: “Over the last decade, mental health construction has seen a remarkable transformation, with innovative new approaches making facilities safer, more comfortable, and tailored to individual needs. From ligature reduction measures to personalised bedrooms, the focus has


www.dimhn.org FC NETWORK May24.indd 1


‘Pioneering’ mental health bedroom returns – improved NETWORK


Journal of the Design in Mental Health Network


Flagship event makes Manchester debut


The ‘intersection’ of art and mental healthcare


shifted towards providing patient-centred care in a calming, supportive environment.


Keeping patients safer in bedrooms and bathrooms


“Bedroom Evolved attracted large crowds last year. We received so much interest that we decided to create a second iteration for this year’s show, with refinements based on visitors’ feedback.” The bedroom – built using MMC – is designed to last at least 60 years, with wall structures exceeding the ‘Severe Duty’ rating for hard and soft body impact. By using BREEAM and PassivHaus principles, and reducing waste to under 1%, Bedroom Evolved also supports NHS Net Zero carbon goals. Louis Sullivan will discuss the Bedroom Evolved project at DiMH 2024 at 3 pm on 4 June, and the bedroom can be seen on Stand 214.


May 2024 23/04/2024 10:27


Darwin Group, Level 3 - 4, Telford Plaza, One Ironmasters Way, Telford TF3 4NB www.darwingroup.co.uk T: 0333 1885 113 E: enquiries@darwingroup.co.uk


Designing for Everyone – a toolkit for primary care


The new Designing for Everyone toolkit has been developed to help GP practices and health centres improve their buildings and the physical environment for people with learning disabilities, autism, and cognitive impairment. Jointly developed by the


Association for Dementia Studies, University of Worcester, Dimensions, and Assura plc, and designed for use in any health centre, it is believed to be the first integrated resource of its kind to focus specifically on design principles to support people living with dementia, those who are neurodiverse, or have conditions like anxiety. The co-developers said: “There is growing


evidence to indicate that appropriate design for people living with dementia can promote inclusion, independence, and quality of life, but until recently less attention has been given to design for people living with other neurodivergent and neurodegenerative conditions, an estimated 20% of the population. There has also been little research, and few practical tools available, to assess the appropriateness of the primary care environment. Recognising that a visit to a health centre can be a worrying time for patients and carers, Assura plc strives – as far as is practical – to ensure that its premises are both dementia-friendly, and meet the needs of the increasingly diverse communities they serve. Designing for Everyone brings together


current research and best practice in design for dementia and neurodiversity with reports from national charities, Dimensions, and The Patients Association, confirming the


THE NETWORK | MAY 2024


Call buttons achieve international standard


Provider of staff safety systems for high- risk workplaces, Pinpoint, has achieved the IP67 international standard for its P2 Call Buttons. A wall-mounted alarm, the P2 Call


critical importance of the design of the built environment in delivering high-quality, patient-centred primary care services. The tools can be used by practice managers, premises teams, and patient groups, to better understand how the design and layout of the building works for people with a range of needs. The toolkit’s developers add: “It’s believed that the assessment tools, which include easy-read versions developed with Dimensions, can play a vital part in improving the patient experience, engagement with health services, and reducing inequality of access to care.” Assessments using the tools are already


informing Assura’s refurbishment and new- build programme, and are encouraging those who have learning disabilities or are neurodiverse to get involved in conversations about improving the environment. The toolkit is available free to download as part of Dimensions’ suite of training resources for general practice in its #mygpandme campaign. (https://tinyurl. com/49maupxr)


Button enables healthcare workers and patients to summon assistance when needed. With the simple press of a button, responders are instantly alerted to the location and nature of an incident. The IP, or Ingress Protection rating, certifies the Pinpoint device as able to sufficiently withstand the ingress of dust, water, and oil. IP67 signifies that the call button is entirely dust-tight, while also being water-resistant to showers, and submersion up to a depth of roughly 3 feet for up to 30 minutes. Pinpoint


explained: “With this rating secured, the P2 Call Buttons are certified to be installed in hospital shower and bathroom facilities, where patients may be more vulnerable to falls or accidents. Equally, being used within inpatient units, a high level of protection against dust minimises the risk of damage or reduced effectiveness of the alarms.” P2, the ‘latest evolution’ of the


business’s award-winning safety systems, combines Pinpoint’s 30 years of experience in the sector with ‘enhanced functionality and design’ to deliver what the company says is ‘optimum safety in healthcare settings’.


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