Ribblemere MBU, Chorley Hospital
Ribblemere Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) at Chorley Hospital, operated by Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, underwent a major refurbishment to enhance safety and support recovery for mothers experiencing acute mental ill health.
Safehinge Primera provided innovative solutions tailored to mental health environments to create a recovery-led climate, including the Electronic 5-Way SOS Lockset and vandal-resistant wall readers. These systems empower patients with greater independence while providing staff with quick, reliable emergency access. The result was a space where safety and dignity thrive, enabling mothers to focus on recovery and their bond with their babies.
Care provider: Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust
Project type: Major Refurbishment
Mental Health discipline: Perinatal inpatient support
Products supplied:
- Electronic Doorlock
- Vandal resistant access control wall readers
The Challenge
Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust faced several critical challenges in creating a safe yet empowering environment for the Ribblemere MBU:
Fostering Patient Independence: Mothers needed the ability to control access to their personal spaces, promoting autonomy and trust.
Ensuring Emergency Access: Staff required quick, reliable entry during critical moments to ensure safety without compromising patient dignity.
Streamlining Operations: A seamless, intuitive access control system was essential to minimise disruptions and support the ward’s efficiency.
Adapting to Unique Needs: Products needed to integrate into the ward’s infrastructure while withstanding the demands of a mental health environment.
The Solution
We partnered with Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust and Gilling Dod Architects to deliver a bespoke electronic access control system prioritising patient empowerment and safety.
Electronic 5-Way SOS Lockset: The Electronic 5-Way SOS Lockset was implemented throughout the ward to empower mothers while ensuring staff confidence.
Patient Empowerment: Anti-ligature wristbands, designed to break at 5kg, enabled mothers to control access to their bedrooms. Lightweight and unobtrusive, the wristbands fostered trust and independence.
Uncompromised Safety: The lockset’s built-in mechanical override allowed staff to gain emergency access within two seconds, even during barricade scenarios.
Seamless Integration: The lockset was designed to work with all commonly used electronic access control systems in mental health facilities, ensuring minimal on-ward disruption during installation.
Vandal-Resistant Wall Readers
Paired with the locksets, the vandal-resistant wall readers provided staff with intuitive tools to manage access.
Efficiency: The smart management platform streamlined operations through remote programming and real-time updates.
Unified Access: Staff navigated the ward using a single proximity card or fob, reducing the need for multiple credentials.
Durability: Designed specifically for challenging environments, the wall readers ensured reliable performance over time.
Impact
The refurbishment of Ribblemere MBU successfully created a recovery-led environment that balances patient autonomy with staff confidence, supporting mothers and babies alike.
Empowered Patients: Mothers benefitted from the freedom to control their personal spaces, fostering confidence and independence.
Improved Safety: The 5-Way SOS Lockset provided a staff override system with rapid, reliable emergency access, reducing risks during critical moments.
Streamlined Operations: Integrated access control systems enhanced efficiency, enabling healthcare professionals to focus on patient care.
Durability and Reliability: The vandal-resistant wall readers ensured long-term performance in a high-demand environment.
