Mental Health

Mental Health

As a key part of our Safe Surface Temperature heating offer, Contour has developed a specialist range of guards and radiators for use in environments where an additional attention to design detail is required to ensure the safety of vulnerable people.

In mental health facilities reducing the potential for ligature points is of paramount importance. According to the Office for National Statistics, 2011, of the 4,907 deaths registered in England and Wales caused by self-harm and undetermined intent, 51.7% were as a result of hanging and suffocation. In addition, many times more people make the attempt at suicide than actually succeed.

As death from hanging can often occur when an individual is not fully suspended, the inspection of psychiatric wards and unit for potential ligature points should focus on fixtures and fittings at all heights. The grilles and external Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) in radiators pose particular danger. Ligature points on Contour’s anti-ligature radiator and guard ranges have therefore been identified and addressed.