Anti-ligature products are designed to lower the risk of self-harm or suicide by individuals who are at risk of these behaviours, a consideration in both new-build and building renovation within Mental Health. 

In Mental Health facilities, patients who are experiencing significant emotional distress or psychiatric symptoms may be at increased risk of self-harm, which can include attempting to hang themselves by tying ligatures around their necks. This is a serious concern, and Mental Health facilities must take measures to minimise the risk of ligature-related injuries or deaths.

Anti-ligature products, like our door sets, are designed to prevent individuals from using ligatures to harm themselves. For example, anti-ligature door hardware can be used to prevent patients from tying ropes or cords around door handles to create a ligature point. Anti-ligature shower and curtain tracks, curtain rods, and other fixtures can also be used to minimise the risk of ligature points in bathrooms and other areas where patients may be left unsupervised.

By implementing anti-ligature products, Mental Health facilities can provide a safer environment for patients who may be at risk of self-harm or suicide. These products are an important part of a comprehensive patient safety approach and can help prevent tragic outcomes.

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For more information about designing safe Mental Health spaces and reducing ligature risk within Mental Health facilities, call us on 0330 058 0988 or send us an email.

What does safety mean in Mental Health inpatient spaces?

A balance between physical and psychological safety is vital in inpatient Mental Health settings. Patients in these environments are going through a vulnerable time, and it is critical that their environment keeps them safe and secure while providing a therapeutic environment designed to support recovery.

Door-Alarm-Mental-Health

Physical safety

When creating a new Mental Health facility or renovating an existing site, prioritising the physical safety of patients and staff is crucial. It is essential to incorporate anti-ligature products into the design of the space and consider other potential risks, such as self-harm through the ingestion of hazardous substances or the use of weapons.


To guarantee the utmost level of safety, it is imperative to consider product testing and accreditations carefully. In addition to robust in-house testing, we always recommend looking for products certified by independent testing organisations. Some of those for anti-ligature testing include BRE, OMH-NY and Door & Hardware Federation. 

Psychological safety

In the past, when it came to designing and building Mental Health facilities, physical safety took precedence over psychological safety. Consequently, these spaces often had an institutional appearance, with abundant metal fixtures and fittings. 

However, there has been a shift in the industry's perspective, recognising that psychological safety is equally as vital as physical safety. Creating an environment that fosters privacy and dignity while ensuring safety is essential to support patients' recovery. Safehinge Primera’s products are all designed with these considerations in mind to create healing environments to aid the recovery of patients.

Incorporating practices such as independent patient access and therapeutic artwork can be instrumental in achieving this goal. These design elements help create a safe and inviting space that promotes a sense of calm and positivity, which can ultimately contribute to the overall success of treatment. As such, the emphasis on psychological safety is gradually becoming a more prominent aspect of Mental Health facility design. 

At Safehinge Primera, we design products to minimise the traditional institutional look and feel. We also partner with a UK Mental Health Charity called Hospital Rooms, with the key focus of transforming inpatient environments into spaces that facilitate creativity, hope and healing. Original artworks from outstanding artists feature on our Bathroom Ensuite Doors.

Together, we are transforming cold and institutional Mental Health environments into places that aid recovery by introducing therapeutic art.

Anti-Ligature Design in NHS

 

 

 

Safe Mental Health design should always consider
physical & psychological safety

 

 

 

What to consider when Looking for Anti-Ligature products


Anti-ligature considerations in Mental Health facilities are challenging. There is much to consider from various perspectives, such as physical and psychological safety, ward operations and testing/accreditations.

Ward Operations

Ward operations


Mental Health wards are busy and challenging environments, so we must ensure the products we design and develop are safe, look good, provide comfort, and work operationally in the busy ward. 

Providing anti-ligature support in healthcare facilities means that nurses and ward operations can help ensure the safety of patients at risk of self-harm or suicide.

Mental Health Anti-Ligature Hospital

Patient & Staff Safety

Patient & staff safety

By reducing the risk of ligature points, mental healthcare facilities can help improve the safety of patients at risk of self-harm or suicide. By removing the opportunity to use ligatures to inflict harm, anti-ligature products can significantly reduce the risk of patient injury and death. They can also ensure the safety of clinical staff and patients by reducing the risks of barricades and weaponisation that still exist within inpatient mental health environments today. 

By adopting complete safety solutions like Anti-Barricade Doorset equipped with Full-Door Ligature Alarm, you can significantly reduce those risks for patients and ensure that healthcare providers can deliver safe and effective care.

Mental Health Patient Observation

Risk of injury

Risk of injury

Anti-ligature products help to reduce the risk of injury to patients who may accidentally come into contact with ligature points, such as door handles or curtain rods.

Anti-Ligature Patient Bedroom with Alarm

Observation

Observation

Clinical staff are not able to be everywhere at all times. However, the Full-Door Ligature Alarm provides a solution by rapidly notifying the nearest nursing station when a ligature is being attempted. This helps to address any potential blind spots between observations.


Anti-ligature products, like the Ensuire Door, can also help nurses and other staff to improve the supervision of patients, particularly those at risk of self-harm or suicide.

Clinical Observation in Mental Health

Simplifying facility management through an Anti-Ligature design

Incorporating anti-ligature considerations into the design of Mental Health facilities means that ward managers can more efficiently manage the facility and reduce the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance of ligature points.

Overall, anti-ligature products can help to improve patient safety and reduce the risk of self-harm or suicide in healthcare facilities. By incorporating these features into their design, healthcare facilities can better support the work of nurses and ward operations and provide a safer environment for patients. All employees have a statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

Staff on the ward complete an assessment of patients' risk when they join the ward, which includes some of the following considerations:

  • Previous history of suicide attempts
  • Prior history of using ligatures
  • Previous history of self-injury
  • Sibling/family history of suicide
  • Anniversary of a significant event
  • Level of mood, hopelessness
  • Symptoms of acute mental illness causing fluctuations in clinical presentation
  • Suicidal intent, impulsivity control and expression of suicidal thoughts
  • Changes in family, employment, or financial factors

These factors are regularly reviewed and reported on as part of ward safety.

Some examples of how anti-ligature design can support facility management include the Anti-Barricade Electronic Lockset that eliminates the need for nurses to carry a bunch of keys, and the Ligature Door Alarm supports the clinical observation.

Anti-Ligature testing

Regarding anti-ligature products, independent testing is vital, especially as these products are designed to save lives in Mental Health units. Our handles are robust, anti-ligature, independently tested, and proven effective in various Mental Health environments, accommodating users' needs with varying strength and manual dexterity. 

While there is currently no official UK standard for anti-ligature products, the Door and Hardware Federation has created specification TS001, which the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers has adopted to assess ligature risk in particular care environments. 

Additionally, the BRE Group, in collaboration with Design in Mental Health Network (DIMHN), has developed a detailed testing guide to prevent self-harm and reduce the risk of hanging, promoting innovation and encouraging the use of independent and repeatable testing formats to assess the safety of new and existing products. The Testing Guide provides testing methodologies for materials, fixtures and hardware specifically designed for use within Mental Health care facilities.

Look for companies that offer additional internal testing to ensure the highest level of safety:

 

 

 

 

Every time an en-suite door with Hospital Rooms' artwork is sold, a portion of the proceeds go towards supporting the charitable efforts of Hospital Rooms to create therapeutic Mental Health spaces through the incorporation of art.

 

 

Partnering with Hospital Rooms to introduce art into patient's bedrooms


We're all greatly affected by our surroundings. They can have a profound impact on our moods, thoughts and feelings. 

Hospital Rooms are a UK-based charity that transforms Mental Health wards into uplifting, artistic environments through the use of carefully selected artworks and design interventions. Their mission is to enhance the well-being of patients and staff in clinical settings by creating beautiful and inspiring spaces. Hospital Rooms collaborates with leading artists, architects, and designers to create site-specific artworks that promote healing and positivity. Through their innovative approach, Hospital Rooms aims to improve the quality of life for those in Mental Health care.

Safehinge Primera partnered with Hospital Rooms back in 2021 to incorporate two of their original artworks into award-winning Anti-Ligature En-Suite Doors. Art has the power to transform and humanise any harsh clinical environment, and so it gives us great pride to have partnered with this unique arts and Mental Health charity.

By printing original Hospital Rooms artworks onto our en-suite doors, we're combining safety with expression, choice and creativity. In addition to our existing range of prints available for our en-suite doors, <RBAY/\VBS> by Charley Peters and Flags and Flares by Tim A Shaw have been added.

Read Safehinge Primera & Hospital Rooms Collaboration Story and discover the healing power of art.

Mark+Titchner+Please+Believe+TV+Room+Bluebell+Lodge+Hospital+Rooms+

 

Where can I purchase products that support Anti-Ligature space creation?

When it comes to Mental Health environments, safety is always a top priority. 

That's why choosing the right products is essential to ensure the well-being of patients and staff. At Safehinge Primera, we take pride in offering a wide range of innovative and high-quality anti-ligature products designed to meet the diverse needs of Mental Health facilities. Providing peace of mind for patients and caregivers, our door systems (including ligature door alarms, anti-barricade doorsets, load-release fixings, door locksets & handles, and other anti-ligature products) have been tested by independent testing organisations, proven effective, and compliant with the latest technical standards.

 

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