Enhancing safety and inclusivity at Surrey & Borders NHS Trust’s new mental health unit
Surrey & Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is committed to delivering high-quality care, and as part of that commitment it is developing new mental health inpatient services.
Its next unit due to open is Silverwood – a state-of-the-art inpatient mental health facility designed to provide a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
Four wards, each with 16 ensuite rooms and two lounges, will support patients at Silverwood. Meanwhile, staff lounges and kitchenettes will help create a positive work environment for staff members. Also in development on the Silverwood site is a new Education suite.
The Challenge
Creating an environment that’s both safe and inclusive is paramount for healthcare facilities.
It was important for Surrey & Borders NHS Trust to ensure that any individuals with physical disabilities or reduced mobility would be able to evacuate the premises at Silverwood safely should there ever be a fire emergency on site.
The Solution
Refuge Alerter (our wireless emergency voice communication system) was ordered by the Trust to be installed at refuge points around the building. This would facilitate reliable, two-way communication with people at disabled refuge points during emergencies.
The reliability of the system – a critical factor in ensuring ongoing fire safety – would be enhanced by the fact that Refuge Alerter uses an Ofcom licenced radio frequency; meaning it will still operate even should WiFi or phone signals be unavailable.
Plus, the outstations positioned in the disabled refuge areas would be mains-powered with a 24 hour battery backup. Remote monitoring could be completed from a centralised Master Station.
The fact that Refuge Alerter is radio-based (instead of hardwired) also meant that the system would be simpler to install. During the site refurbishment, Refuge Alerter’s wireless technology would ensure flexibility by eliminating cost and disruption associated with running new cabling through an existing building (Silverwood – due to open in 2025 – is replacing the previous Abraham Cowley Unit, in a building which was opened in 1988).
The Result
The Refuge Alerter system is a significant contributor to fire safety within Silverwood.
Patients, staff, and visitors now benefit from inclusive, reliable emergency communication systems designed to meet their diverse needs.
The Refuge Alerter emergency voice communication (EVC) system ensures that disabled refuge areas are equipped for effective, two-way communication during evacuations.
Find out how Refuge Alerter can help your organisation
Conclusion
Surrey & Borders NHS Trust’s new inpatient unit at Silverwood stands as an example of how thoughtful design and advanced safety systems can come together to create an inclusive, secure environment.
By working with Alerter Group, the Trust has helped ensure that anyone on-site with reduced mobility is able to evacuate safely in an emergency.
At Alerter Group, we’re proud to partner with organisations that prioritise safety and inclusivity.
If you’re interested in implementing a wireless emergency communication system, contact us.
