A survey by the Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) found that, on specific doors, there were high risks associated with the attachment of ligatures primarily over door tops.
This resulted in the Trust opting for a recognised and highly acclaimed solution from Intastop.
The Door Top Alarm by Intastop helps prevent attempted suicide by detecting when weight is applied to the top of the door.
This tamper proof system, which can be retro-fitted to existing doors with ease, works by a discrete sensory pad being installed at the top of a standard door and, should a weight be applied, it will alert staff via a preferred method such as an audible alarm, visible light, staff indicator panel or via a pager or main computer.
The Trust provides inpatient and community mental health services for children, adults and older people across Cheshire and Wirral. Its focus is to strive for clinical excellence by ensuring there is a framework to deliver quality improvements, the safety of patients and quality outcomes for service users. The survey undertaken by the CWP property management team focused on specific risks associated with en-suite doors and sourcing viable solutions that still provided both patient privacy and safety.
Marie Hanby, marketing manager for Intastop said: “We are delighted we have been able to help CWP Trust provide a real solution to help avert risks associated with ligatures from door tops. It is essential that care providers offer a safe environment for their patients and staff and through the installation of our Door Top Alarm CWP Trust are providing the best possible prevention solution.”
Additional features of the Intastop Door Top Alarm include; inbuilt false alarm prevention, FD30 Fire Rated, is suitable for retrofit and new build, is suitable for use with both Intastop’s anti-ligature Single and Double Swing Hinges and it boasts an anti-ligature design with secure fixings and hidden wiring.
Daniel Allmark, Head of Capital and Property Management at Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) said: “We have a robust risk management framework and are continually searching for solutions that keep our patients safe. After assessment of three different options; removal of en-suite doors, chamfered door tops and a door top alarm, the CWP Health & Safety Well-being Sub Committee agreed that it was the Intastop Door Top Alarm that would provide the most robust solution to managing ligature risk. We are now looking at a programme of installation for a number of Trust areas including adult acute, PICU and Low Secure Units.”