Background
Contour has been supporting a major NHS Mental Health Trust in South London with a rolling programme of radiator guard upgrades across its estate, now spanning over 35 individual projects and three years of continuous partnership.
This Trust delivers the UK’s widest range of mental health services and supports over 1.3 million people. The scale of the estate spans multiple sites including inpatient hospitals, specialist centres, and satellite units.
Following a comprehensive ligature audit, a ligature reduction programme was initiated to address serious risks associated with outdated radiator covers. These included older Contour guards (over 10–15 years old) and products from other manufacturers that no longer met the standards required for high-risk environments as they were outdated, damaged, and unsuitable for the current clinical needs.
Contour was engaged to support upgrades across multiple inpatient environments, from high-risk PICU and CAMHS settings to medium- and lower-risk wards including adolescent, mixed-gender, and Mother and Baby units. Work continues to this day as part of a rolling upgrade framework.
Project Scope
To date, the works have included:
- 438 DeepClean Extra radiator guards
- Metal pipe boxing installed where needed
- 12 bespoke anti-ligature components including vent grilles, thermostat covers and plug socket protectors
- Bespoke adaptations around window reveals and alcoves
- Coordination of site logistics including skip hire, secure storage containers and compound fencing
This was primarily a supply and fit service, with full survey, manufacture, delivery and installation carried out by Contour, working around the needs of live wards and vulnerable patients.
Key Challenges
1. Scale and Variety of Clinical Settings
The project covered a wide range of wards including:
- Child and Adolescent PICU
- Adolescent Units
- CAMHS wards
- Mother and Baby Units
- All-male, all-female, and mixed adult mental health wards
Each ward had unique safety, operational, and design requirements, with all wards remaining live and fully operational throughout the works.
2. Live Environment Installation
All works took place in occupied wards. This required:
- Flexible scheduling around patient routines and staff handovers
- Coordination with ward managers to ensure work could be carried out safely and discreetly
- Risk assessments and DBS-checked personnel qualified to work in vulnerable settings
3. Legacy Infrastructure, Complex Layouts and Bespoke Design Needs
Many of the wards included guards recessed into alcoves, fitted under window reveals, or close to fixtures such as skirting or pipework. In some cases, bespoke windowsill detailing was required to safely lip over the sill without creating new ligature points.
4. Site Logistics
To ensure minimal disruption, Contour arranged and managed:
- On-site storage containers for new products
- Waste logistics including skip hire
- Fenced-off compounds to protect staff, patients, and contractors
5. Infection Control and Cleaning Access
Much of the existing infrastructure lacked safe, accessible cleaning access. This caused issues for infection control teams and maintenance staff. Contour’s drop-down hinged door system addressed this directly.
6. Safer Heating Controls for Patient Rooms
Where possible, Contour provided radiator covers with access to TRV controls in individual patient bedrooms. This gave residents greater autonomy over their environment, while still prioritising anti-ligature protection with robust, tamper-resistant shrouds.
Solution Implemented
Contour surveyed each space and delivered bespoke solutions to meet both patient safety and estate functionality:
- DeepClean Extra anti-ligature radiator guards, featuring:
- Hinged drop-down doors for easy access
- IP3X-compliant safety grilles
- Strong 1.5mm Zintec or Magnelis steel
- Tamper-proof fixings
- Window reveal detailing for a safe, seamless finish
- Split guards and open-ended shoulders to accommodate difficult room layouts
- Slimline pipe boxing, ventilated where necessary
- TRV shrouds with safe access, allowing patient autonomy without compromising safety
- 12 bespoke accessories, including vent grilles, socket protectors and thermostat covers
All installations were carried out with minimal disruption to care teams and service users, thanks to Contour’s on-site support, DBS-checked fitters, and collaborative project coordination.
Outcome
This multi-phase project demonstrates the importance of scalable, adaptable design when upgrading a complex NHS estate. The Trust benefitted from:
- Modern, hygienic and robust radiator guards that align with current anti-ligature guidance
- Enhanced infection control compliance through easy-clean, drop-down door systems
- Retained patient comfort through safe TRV access in bedrooms
- Faster, safer maintenance routines
- A consistent aesthetic across upgraded wards
Contour continues to support this Trust with new phases of work and ongoing safety upgrades ensuring wards stay safe, secure, and compliant with evolving standards.
Planning an Estate-wide Ligature Reduction Programme?
Contour’s DeepClean Extra range is designed for high-risk healthcare environments. With drop-down access, anti-ligature shrouds, and bespoke engineering, we’ll help you upgrade your estate one safe, cleanable, futureproof guard at a time.
📞 Call us on +44 (0) 1952 290498
📧 Email: sales@contourheating.co.uk
🖱️ Or enquire via our website
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