Brunswick Ward refurbished for service users with dementia

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust approached us as part of a major refurbishment in 2017 – due to open in early 2018, the unit will offer in-patient care for service users with dementia. Providing holistic support for individuals with multiple and complex needs, they needed an environment suitable for older age patients with dementia. Because familiarity is critical to aiding recovery, the Trust chose to install our Symphony doorsets and anti-ligature locksets and handles throughout.

Care provider: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Project type: Major Refurbishment
Mental Health Discipline: Adults with dementia in-patient care
Architects: JH Burley

Products supplied:

Symphony Anti-Barricade Doorsets
Passport Smart Locksets – LINK NEEDED
1-Way SOS (Staff Override System) locksets

The Challenge

As the ward was to be home to older patients with dementia, it was important that the doorsets would help create a homely and calming environment.

The locksets and handles needed to conform to the specific needs of the service users, for example handles needed to be suitable for those with a weak grip and to be easily recognised by patients with dementia.

The Solution

We recommended our anti-barricade doorsets that helped with:

Familiarity of design with no complex, confusing metalwork on the door, just like at home
Minimal visible fixings help to reduce institutionalism as our discrete anti-barricade doorstop, Swiftstop, is almost invisible yet ensures staff can always get in
Colour coded frames and doors around the ward communicate which doors are to be used by service users or staff
High contrast colours are used on service users’ doors to ensure those with poor visibility can clearly identify the room from a distance

Seamlessly balancing safety and recovery

The choice of locksets and handles installed throughout the ward were also chosen based on the specific requirements of the service users:

Oryx handle is designed to make door opening easier for those with a weak grip. Looking just like a normal handle, it’s easily recognised by service users with dementia
Tested for ligature reduction in a downward-only direction (B4, DHF TS001). This was appropriate as the suicide risk is lower for service users with dementia.
Our electronic lockset, Passport Smart, was also installed on all bedroom doors offering increased independence for service users by allowing them to unlock their own door – something the CQC is increasingly highlighting in inspections.
Passport remains the only access control lockset with a complete staff override system – ensuring staff can always gain emergency access to a room
The remotely programmable smart platform also offers a real-time audit trail with instant updates