ASSA ABLOY helps minimise patient risk at Camino mental health facility

ASSA ABLOY’s DC256 clutch thumbturns were installed at the facility

ASSA ABLOY, the global leader in door opening solutions, has supplied a range of products that mitigate patient risk to a new West Midlands mental health facility.

Oak House, based in Tipton, provides a specialist 24 hour nursing service for men and women with mental health disabilities. The Camino healthcare facility features bedrooms, bedsits, assisted bathrooms and meeting rooms, which have all been designed to accommodate challenging residents who require a high level of care.

ASSA’s DC256 clutch thumbturns were installed, offering privacy to patients while ensuring that staff can gain entry at all times in case of emergency. Designed for use on individual bedrooms within secure accommodation, the thumbturns have an anti-barricade functionality; if the user attempts to grip a thumbturn to prevent staff entry, the sprung clutch mechanism releases and allows the key to turn.

At the same time as addressing the need to prevent fatalities, the products are also aesthetically pleasing, blending into the surrounding environment of the new healthcare facility, to avoid creating the feel of a stifling, clinical environment.

In addition, ASSA ABLOY’s electro-mechanical hold open devices were fitted and linked to the fire alarm system. Enabling doors to be held open at a desired angle, but to close automatically in the case of an emergency. ASSA ABLOY’s CAM-motion door closers, also ensured the doors were light to open, while retaining closing power, offering an ideal solution for people with disabilities.

Mark Parry, Sales director at Walsall based AI Locks & Fittings, said: “ASSA ABLOY has a wealth of experience working within the health sector, including mental health facilities, so it made sense to specify a tried and trusted brand to secure the Camino healthcare project.”

“We worked closely with ASSA ABLOY to ensure that the products supplied minimised risk to patients who might harm themselves.”

Ian Chapman, Regional Sales Manger for ASSA ABLOY UK, said: “Having worked on similar projects in the past, we were able to provide the products to meet with the challenging brief. Whilst addressing the critical need for a safe environment for patients and staff, the products are discreet, contributing to a modern and comfortable facility that is not an intimidating environment for patients. It is typical of ASSA ABLOY’s specification team to meet with a dual challenge such as this.”