SERVICE-USER ACCOMMODATION


control of their rooms. A bulkhead was created as a transition


zone to help patients feel more in control of their own space, with the idea being that, to pass beyond the bulkhead and into the room, staff and visitors ask permission before entering to help patients feel more comfortable and safer. Special attention was also given to


the exterior space, with a large window and integrated window seat overlooking a soothing garden to provide patients with a comfortable area where they are connected to nature and the outside world, which can be essential for their recovery. Patient dignity, privacy, and comfort,


A rendered image of how the new bedroom would look in situ at Design in Mental Health 2023 in Coventry.


of the room, and the arrangement of the bedroom door and en-suite bathroom. Balancing the need for appropriate observation with a space that feels private and a safe space for recovery was paramount.


l Inspiration and activity Mitigating boredom for service-users is an essential consideration in modern mental health facility design, so the aim was to shape the space to support a variety of activities and functions. This included a place for rest, relaxation, and contemplation; a place to engage with the landscape outside; to watch television; to read, write or draw, or to exercise and meditate. By taking advantage of the additional room length afforded by the module size (compared with a standard P22 bedroom), a generous built-in window seat was created.


l Environmental quality Care was taken to create a calm space that provided a comfortable balance of sight, sound, light, and tactile feeling. An innovative approach to acoustic absorbency treatment minimises reverberation, which can be challenging to achieve in mental health bedroom design. The lighting design provides opportunities for sensory and mood-appropriate changes, and the use of rich, calm colours and natural finishes creates a pleasant environment in which to spend time.


l Practicality The practical, integrated joinery design makes the most of the available space to minimise bedroom clutter and for the area to be personalised with cherished belongings. The built-in window seat and timber backrest around the bed are at a comfortable height for extended use.


l Functionality As is always crucial in designing such spaces, the team focused on creating a very specialist environment, where


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robustness, and limitation of opportunities for damage, self-harm, and ligature shaped every aspect. At the same time, this was balanced with the aspiration to create a normalised environment. We achieved this by discreetly integrating high-quality and safe fittings and fixtures.


l Sustainability The offsite modular construction of the bedroom puts the design at the forefront of Modern Methods of Construction, and meets Government and NHS aspirations. The efficient bedroom plan aspect ratio, spatial efficiency, Green Guide A-rated materials with extensive environmental supporting certification, and efficient power and water use in the components, all ensure that the design meets industry best practice in sustainability. Brought together, these six pillars


provide a framework for an evolution of the recognisable industry standard for mental health bedroom design, utilising modular offsite construction to its full potential. The project provided a valuable opportunity to test imaginative and fresh thinking, based on years of learned experience. The ‘Bedroom Evolved’ project


incorporates various innovative features to enhance patient safety and wellbeing. Anti-ligature fixtures and fittings have been integrated throughout the room to minimise potential hazards – from light fittings and doors to sills and screws. An innovative locking system ensures


that staff need carry only one key that fits all doors, windows, and cupboards, streamlining access management, and improving efficiency. The facility is designed to withstand


the test of time, with walls exceeding ‘Severe Duty’ ratings for hard and soft body impact, and the modular framework promising a minimum lifespan of 60 years. Dimmable lighting was installed,


allowing the user to customise it to create their own ambience, making it feel more homely, and giving them greater


were at the forefront of the Bedroom Evolved project. The integrated furniture, which included a bed, bedside wardrobe, Recornect CoWin touchscreen, and a surround, desk and wardrobe, from Tough Furniture, was designed to create a homely environment, promoting healing rather than feeling overly clinical. With safety still in mind, everything was sealed with anti-pick mastic, with no visible fixings. A padded window seat, also from Tough Furniture, was included to provide patients with a comfortable space to connect with nature and the outside world. The bathroom products, from Wallgate,


were constructed as one seamless unit made of Corian to ensure easy repairs if necessary. Designed to increase patient safety and security, and minimise misuse and damage, the company’s electronic water management systems offer the ability to manage water quality and patient behaviour, benefiting the healthcare provider. The bathroom space also incorporates an external service cupboard, allowing maintenance to be performed without compromising patient privacy, and minimising the risk of self-harm to patients.


Innovations in door and safety aids Design innovations extended to the door and safety aids in the bedroom. The Safehinge Primera anti-ligature en-suite bathroom door is a cornerstone of patient safety. It offers patient dignity while being safe to use, featuring a magnetic hinge system that allows the door to detach from the wall if more than 11 lbs of pressure is applied, disrupting ligature attempts. The magnets are built into the frame of the door hardware to eliminate ingestion risks, and the door leaves are made from lightweight materials to prevent weaponisation. ‘Bedroom Evolved’ also utilised


Safehinge Primera’s innovative wireless door alarm system, which is the only one in the world with a full door ligature detection that works on all parts of the door, whether in an open or closed position. The alarm is hidden inside the door to avoid the institutional look of large metal door edge sensors. Tested for fire resistance, and designed for swift resolution of barricade situations, the


NOVEMBER 2023 | THE NETWORK


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