MENTAL HEALTH PRODUCTS


a situation when otherwise someone may feel all choices are made for them. “Deciding whether to open or close a blind to let in daylight is put in the hands of the person in the room, indicating a level of trust, but also reassurance that they are safe at the same time.” To combat the risks of self harm, or the blind and fittings being used as a weapon, YewdaleKestrel is a magnet- based solution, which comes away when loaded, preventing it being used as a ligature point.


Gerard Baxter of Workspace adds:


“Window coverings help with light and glare control and on long summer days occupants may want to sleep for longer than it is dark. “Secondly it’s about privacy, another


important factor given that many mental health buildings have occupied gardens facing bedrooms.”


TAKING CONTROL NHS guidance is contained in Health Building Note (HBN) 03-01 Adult acute mental health units, which states that: “Where blinds are fitted in service user areas, they should be anti-ligature, integral to the window structure, and controllable by the service user. “The mountings or tracking of


curtains should not provide a ligature opportunity. They should not be removable to cause harm.” Yewdale is one of a number of


manufacturers to respond to these guidelines with a dedicated range of anti-ligature roller blinds. Myatt said: “An anti-ligature blind


provides a small amount of control over 18 mhdf magazine


PREVENTING HARM Choice of fabric is also important. Baxter said: “It’s important that blinds are robust, anti-ligature and easy but safe to operate. “Fabrics need to be tear-proof and


have the right light control properties.” And motorised roller blinds are being


increasingly specified, offering patients added control. Baxter said: “We are seeing an


increase in ‘smart’ motorised systems as the prices are becoming more competitive and the integration with building management for both lighting and solar control. Fabric suppliers are


also being much more innovative with their products.” But, while anti-ligature roller blinds remain a popular choice in mental health settings up and down the country; integral blinds are also becoming increasingly popular. BetweenGlassBlinds has seen its magnetic and motorised blinds installed in psychiatric units up and down the country. Director, Mark Nash, said: “Blinds and curtains fitted to the outside of the glass can be vandalised and misused in a mental health setting, proving to be an easy target for disruptive patients. “Integral blinds allow staff to observe patients discreetly without putting staff at risk in any way. They also maintain the privacy and dignity of patients and are controllable, so give patients an element of choice over their environment.”


COLOUR COUNTS Recently, more and more thought has been put into incorporating colour, artwork and general design to help the blinds blend into the surroundings, looking less institutional, but all the while maintaining the durability and ensuring observation function which staff rely on day to day. And, once again, ease of maintenance has been given priority with the units designed to be hermetically sealed, preventing build-up of bacteria and making them extremely durable. In the future, Nash predicts being


able to enhance products through the use of colour and bespoke printing will become increasingly popular. And BetweenGlassBlinds and


sister company, Vistamatic, are also developing a new range of switchable glass products to be launched later this year, specifically with the mental health sector in mind.


www.betweenglassblinds.co.uk www.vistamatic.com www.yewdale.co.uk


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