FURNITURE
Left and above: At Kimmeridge Court David Bailey Furniture supplied a wide range of systems for 10 bedrooms and en-suites – including shelving, and wall-mounted units for TVs.
space. At Kimmeridge Court David Bailey Furniture supplied a wide range of systems for 10 bedrooms and en-suites – this included shelving, and wall-mounted units for TVs. All of these incorporated polycarbonate mirrors, magnetic hooks, and other design features, such as hygiene-friendly sloping tops and secure fixings to prevent removal of components that might injure. In addition, the fitted furniture specialist supplied ‘disabled- friendly’ units and worktops for the kitchens, offices, and other areas of the building, as part of a contract worth more than £80,000. Despite a national shortage of
available beds for eating disorders, the completion of Kimmeridge Court bolsters the Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust’s capacity for specialist care, expanding from 6 to 10 beds. This expansion will ensure that patients can receive treatment closer to home,
supported by their network, a vital element in their journey to recovery.
An ‘exceptionally challenging’ field Treating eating disorders can be challenging. Balancing the necessity of staff observation to manage some behaviours, while upholding patients’ privacy and dignity, presents a unique obstacle. Kimmeridge Court tackles these challenges head-on by offering enhanced and improved facilities, including inpatient bedrooms, clinical and therapy spaces, and thoughtfully designed living areas. This holistic approach creates an environment that fosters patient recovery, and supports emotional wellbeing. Situated within the picturesque
grounds of the Grade II* Listed St Ann’s Hospital, near the scenic Dorset coast and Sandbanks, the structure of Kimmeridge Court has been carefully conceived to minimise its impact on the mature
coastal trees that grace the site. The building seamlessly integrates into the surroundings, with a larger two-storey volume set back from the site boundary, and a gradual reduction to a single storey as it approaches the street frontage. The new building has certainly been
The fitted furniture specialist supplied ‘disabled-friendly’ units and worktops for the kitchens (pictured), offices, and other areas of the building, as part of a contract worth over £80,000.
THE NETWORK | NOVEMBER 2024
welcomed by the healthcare professionals that work there. Jess Griffiths, Eating Disorders therapist, and former eating disorders service-user at St. Ann’s Hospital, said: “As soon as I walked into the new building, I actually welled up. I was so emotional because it is so beautiful, and it’s going to help so many people in their treatment. I think the environment will facilitate so many more therapeutic activities, like supported eating and all the things you need to increase your chances of recovery.” This positive view was supported by Dr Carla Figueiredo, Consultant Psychiatrist at Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust, who said: “We’ve been long awaiting a modern, fit-for- purpose building, and now we have it – it’s beautiful. With the expanded capacity, fewer of our patients will need to receive care away from their support systems, their family, and their community teams, and this will have such a positive impact on recovery. I’ve looked at other units around the country, and what we have created here makes me very proud.” Kimmeridge Court’s design transcends the clinical norm, prioritising patient comfort, and fostering a non-clinical environment that encourages recovery. Patient day spaces and bedroom accommodation co-exist on the ground floor, accommodating eight inpatient beds and two high dependency beds. To preserve the majestic Category A trees, an irrigated root-protecting foundation design elevates the building, maintaining their proximity to the new structure.
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