FURNITURE


The therapeutic setting needing tailored furniture


Tony Huggins, MD of David Bailey Furniture, discusses its expertise manufacturing and supplying specialist furniture and fittings for mental healthcare settings, and some of the key features required – an excellent example being its recent supply of furniture for the new Kimmeridge Court eating disorders unit at St Ann’s Hospital in Poole (The Network – August 2023).


Research indicates a significant rise in the prevalence of eating disorders in recent years, with severe consequences for individuals and society as a whole. The NHS reports that hospital admissions for eating disorders in England alone reached over 24,000 in 2020-2021, marking an 84% increase over the past five years. As a specialist supplier of fitted


furniture systems to the NHS, the rising number of mental health issues – including eating disorders – is a trend that is presenting a growing number of new challenges for companies like ours. We have seen a corresponding growing need for furniture with reduced ligature properties to help prevent attempts at suicide and self-harm. There is also more emphasis on the importance of incorporating unbreakable polycarbonate mirrors and reduced ligature hooks, with


magnets or adhesive fixings, for the safety and wellbeing of service-users.


Eating disorders unit’s serene setting This modern approach to good, effective, and safe mental healthcare by the NHS is vividly illustrated with a major new project, the Kimmeridge Court eating disorders unit operated by Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust, in Poole Dorset. Nestled within a serene, wooded glade, the building stands as a sanctuary designed to harmonise with its natural surroundings, providing a secluded and therapeutic retreat for individuals seeking specialised treatment for eating disorders. Designed by Medical Architecture and built by Kier, the £8 m inpatient unit at St Ann’s Hospital has been meticulously tailored to meet the escalating demand for such services. It includes a range of bespoke specialist furniture units from David Bailey Furniture, which were specially developed to meet the needs of the vulnerable inpatients. Eating disorders carry


a disproportionately high risk of suicide. A study published in The Lancet Psychiatry revealed that individuals with anorexia nervosa have a significantly higher mortality rate, with suicide accounting for a substantial proportion of these deaths. The study found that individuals with anorexia nervosa were 31 times more likely to die by suicide compared with the general population. Similarly, those with bulimia nervosa faced an


The new Kimmeridge Court eating disorders unit at St Ann’s Hospital in Poole.


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increased risk of suicide, emphasising the critical need for specialised interventions and support networks. Eating disorders can affect individuals


of any age, gender, socioeconomic background, or ethnicity. However, certain demographics are more vulnerable. Adolescents and young adults, particularly females, are at a higher risk due to various factors, including societal pressures, body image concerns, and hormonal changes. Additionally, LGBTQ+ individuals, athletes, and individuals with a history of trauma or mental health conditions, face an elevated risk.


Creating a therapeutic and safe environment Creating a safe and therapeutic environment is paramount in the treatment of eating disorders. Specialist furniture, such as items with reduced ligature designs, plays a crucial role in reducing self-harm risks. Anti-ligature furniture is intentionally designed to minimise the risk of ligature attachment points, preventing individuals from using fixtures as a means of self-inflicted harm. By implementing such furniture, treatment facilities such as Kimmeridge Court can prioritise patient safety, helping to prevent tragic incidents by ensuring a supportive environment for recovery. Unbreakable polycarbonate mirrors and anti-ligature hooks with magnets or adhesive fixings serve as essential components in providing a safe treatment environment. Traditional mirrors, when broken, pose a significant risk of self- harm. Unbreakable polycarbonate mirrors, however, are designed to withstand impact, mitigating the risk of injuries associated with broken glass. These mirrors, while maintaining functionality, reduce potential harm, and contribute to the overall wellbeing of patients. Similarly, reduced ligature hooks designed with magnet or adhesive fixings provide a secure alternative to traditional hooks, preventing ligature attachment. These innovative fixtures eliminate points of vulnerability, and ensure patient safety, while helping to maintain a therapeutic


NOVEMBER 2024 | THE NETWORK


All photos used courtesy of Richard Chivers


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