NEWS
Norwich mental health inpatient facility progressing
IHP says that the development of three new ‘state-of-the-art’ wards, and refurbishment of two existing wards, at The Rivers Centre, Hellesdon Hospital in Norwich, for Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, has ‘taken an exciting step forward’. The VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine joint venture company has begun the next phase of work delivering the steel that will form part of the structural frame of the new building, having spent the last few weeks clearing and preparing the site. Earlier this year the Trust secured £38 m in national capital funding to modernise inpatient mental healthcare at the site. The funding, alongside £11.7 m of NSFT investment, marks the single largest capital investment to improve facilities at the Trust.
IHP said: “This much-needed
investment will deliver modern, purpose- built environments for people needing specialist inpatient mental healthcare. It will also provide additional capacity, allowing the Trust to support a further 15 working age adults needing hospital care. The additional bed capacity will reduce the current high dependency on out-of- area and independent sector placements for local people who need inpatient mental healthcare, treatment, and support. It will provide a much-improved environment compared with the existing ward environments being replaced, which suffer from poor lighting, a lack of quiet space, and poor access to outside spaces – issues previously highlighted as part of CQC inspections.” Cath Byford, the Trust’s Deputy Chief
Executive and Chief People Officer, pictured, centre, with Katie Fenn, VINCI Building’s Project manager, said: “It is great to see our plans coming to life on this much-needed development for our Trust and those we provide care for. I’d like to thank everyone involved in this project – staff, those who use our services, and our project partners.” The new wards are expected to be open in Autumn 2024. Architects are Murphy Philipps, engineers, JP Chick and Partners, and project management and quantity surveyors, Castons.
Research prompts launch of re-designed en-suite door
Yewdale says its latest anti-ligature en-suite door, SafeDoor Connect, is designed to offer the high quality of its original SafeDoor, but with repositioned magnets fixed to the door rather than being hidden in the hinge – ‘to ensure zero risk of service- users accessing the magnets’. After conducting research and obtaining ‘invaluable feedback’ from mental health professionals, Yewdale identified ‘a rising concern’ – the potential risk associated with the magnets being moved from their installed location. SafeDoor Connect has – Yewdale explains – ‘been meticulously crafted to address this specific concern’. It said: “At first glance, SafeDoor Connect might appear similar to our anti-ligature door, SafeDoor 2, in terms of construction. However, there’s a critical distinction. Unlike SafeDoor 2, where the magnets are hidden within the hinge, SafeDoor Connect’s magnets are fixed to the doorframe using countersunk anti-tamper screws. Inside its hinge are magnetic discs which secure the door to the magnets.” Yewdale says the magnets ‘cannot be
removed without equipment that service- users will not be able to access’. It said: “We want to reinforce that SafeDoor 2 remains the answer for high-risk settings requiring a load-release en-suite door. SafeDoor
Connect is simply an alternative for higher- risk mental healthcare locations. In locations subject to a high risk of tampering, SafeDoor Connect may be better suited.” The load-release magnets allow the door
to detach under a downward force. Yewdale added: “The fail-safe magnets cannot be jammed, and don’t lose their magnetic force over time, making them highly reliable long term. SafeDoor Connect has an innovative anti-tamper design that incorporates armour stitching, offering additional security.” The new door has a Crib 7 fire rating, is
‘fully waterproof’, comes in four sizes, and with the option of single or double-sided print.
Men’s Shed in Clacton ‘supports bonding over shared interests’
All men should feel safe and comfortable sharing their feelings during times of hardship and general day-to-day struggles, says NHS Property Services (NHSPS), which assisted in facilitating a Men’s Shed at Kennedy Way Community Garden in Clacton-on Sea. The social prescribing initiative
promotes networking, reduces isolation and loneliness, and fosters communication between men on topics such as mental health. The ‘unique aspect’ of Men’s Shed is that contrary to building a garden shed – often a solitary activity – the programme supports ‘bonding over shared interests and building something collectively’. According to Men’s Health Forum,
statistics show one in five men die before the age of 65; four out of five suicides are male, and men make up 75% of premature deaths from heart failure. Rhea Horlock, NHSPS head of Corporate Social Responsibility, said: “Seeking help can be a daunting prospect for many men, so projects like Men’s Shed will help more men speak up and reap the benefits the programme has to offer.
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We want to cement avenues where men can talk without judgement, and it is our responsibility to ensure that men in broader communities are able to seek assistance.” Sharon Alexander, CEO, Community
Voluntary Services Tendring, said: “Thanks to NHSPS, our supporters, friends, and volunteers, we have together created a magical place for local people, and visitors and staff of the Kennedy Way Medical Centre, to come and enjoy the space, meet friends, get fit, and learn new skills. The Kennedy Way Community Garden is a wonderful example of what is achievable when everyone works in collaboration putting the community at the heart of everything we do.”
NOVEMBER 2023 | THE NETWORK
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