GALAXY WARD, COBORN CENTRE
Care provider: East London NHS Foundation
Project type: Ward reurbishment (decant)
Mental health discipline: CAMHS PICU
Products supplied: En-suite doors
Traditional doors and shower curtains are no longer an option
Posing various ligature risks, the traditional full-door was no longer suitable. The Trust had even tried cut down doors, but still identified ligature risks. “The shower curtain alternative didn’t work from an infection control and maintenance point of view and came with its own risks of suffocation”, said Operational Coordinator, James Atkinson.
Plastic bags had been banned on the ward to eliminate the risk of suffocation. James continued “So, a huge plastic sheet in the bathroom just wouldn’t work. It didn’t look homely or feel nice either”. They needed an alternative to eliminate the unsupervised risk.
Our load-release door detaches at 6-8kg, and with the staff-only reset option, it can also alert staff of ligature attempts, removing a traditional blind spot and disrupting the ligature learning process.
Privacy and dignity without compromising on safety or aesthetics
Since fitting the en-suite doors throughout the Galaxy Ward, clinicians have been able to provide patients privacy and dignity, while partial observations of the legs and feet provide confidence in their safety.
Fitted throughout with the printed mountain and beach scene leaves, the en-suite door also brightens the room and makes it feel less clinical. Made from a soft, lightweight foam and PVC the leaves can’t be used as a weapon. Staff have also noticed “it’s easy to clean and low maintenance”.
