REVIEW


And the winners are…..


Key to good design is to give service users an element of control over their environment


the design of seclusion rooms, with many calling for a step change in the physical restraint amid evidence use of this practice is still widespread. Paula Reavey, a professor of


psychology and mental health and director of research and education for the Design in Mental Health Network, said: “We need to start considering a solution that encourages us to think about physical design and encourages better and more-empathetic spaces. “All too often we ignore the


environmental factors like privacy and daylight, views to the outside, comfort, and control. “It’s about asking can we design


environments that make people feel better about themselves and the care they are receiving, as well as helping the staff who work in those buildings.” Another emotive speech came


from keynote speaker, Norman Lamb MP, a long-standing mental health campaigner whose own sister committed suicide in 2015 following treatment in a psychiatric unit. He said: “There was no question about a lack of resource being spent on her, but I was left thinking was it the most-effective use of the money,


because while the unit wasn’t that old, it was a pretty dismal place.


CARE, NOT CONTAINMENT “It must be about care, not containment, and we must continue to campaign for more money for mental health services, including capital estates for those people who do need inpatient care.” And it’s not just the indoor


environment that has a positive impact on patients and staff. Susan Grant, principal architect at Health Facilities Scotland, called for increased investment in green spaces across all health and social care developments. She said: “Green space can be an


afterthought, but it’s much better to have the advantage of masterplanning and having an overall strategy from early on. “Yes, we can let mental health patients outside and they should be outside. And they should not have to ask. It’s their right. “The value is enormous.” Running alongside the conference was an exhibition, with more than 60 stands, many promoting new products aimed at enhancing mental health environments.


These included Intastop’s new


Aspexa printed wall protection sheet; Ascom’s latest mental health nurse call system; and new products from Poppi Furniture, including a seating range and TV cabinet.


During this year’s conference, the winners of the 2019 Design in Mental Healthcare Awards were announced at a black tie dinner hosted by GP- turned-comedian, Dr Phil Hammond. The winners were: • Product Innovation of the Year – Jolly Trolley by Little Islands • Concept Product Innovation of the Year – Book of Beasties, The Mental Wellness Card Game • Estates and Facilities Team of the Year – Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust • Service user engagement – Rowan View MSU- IBI Group • Project of the year, New Build – Caudwell International Children’s Centre, Caudwell Children and C4 Projects • Project of the Year, Refurbishment – Ty Carreg Residential Home, The IAD Company • Art installation of the year – Meet Me at the Upside Down Table – TYMO London • DIMH Recognition Award – Dr Robert G MacDonald Commenting on its win for Project of the Year, Refurbishment, for Ty Carreg, a specialist residential home for adults with autism; Rebecca Lewis- Chapman, director at IAD Company, said: “We are absolutely over the moon to have been recognised with this award and I’m delighted to have accepted it on behalf of the wider IAD team, but also the Ty Carreg residents who have benefitted as a result of the project at hand. “Ty Carreg is a genuinely-unique development respectfully transformed from an 800-year-old site into a state- of-the-art, functional home, where residents and those supporting them up to 24 hours a day are benefitting from an environment of serenity and peace, where once were ruins – that is the true reward for us as architectural consultants and designers.” Product innovation winner, Jolly Trolley, uses sensory lighting, bright clear images and music to promote reminiscence among those living with dementia. Describing the win as ‘an absolute dream’, a spokesperson for Little Islands said: “We’ve only gone and done it! We are absolutely over the moon and would like to thank everyone who supported us. This award means so much.”


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mhdf magazine


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