A former office and consulting space has been transformed into a dedicated mental health assessment unit, providing a safe and calming environment for patients and staff. The new facility features enhanced security measures and purpose-built assessment areas, allowing medical teams to deliver urgent mental health care separately from the main A&E department. Our mechanical and electrical design solutions helped create a space that prioritises both patient dignity and staff safety.
CLIENT: Greater Manchester Mental Health
LOCATION: Wigan, Greater Manchester
SERVICES: Mechanical & Electrical Design
CLIENT OBJECTIVES
A mental health hospital needed to convert existing office space into a specialist urgent care assessment unit. The key requirement was to create a secure while maintaining a therapeutic atmosphere. The brief called for a dedicated reception area, private assessment rooms, and a comprehensive security system including CCTV and access control doors. All fittings needed to meet anti-ligature standards, and the entire unit had to function independently from the adjacent A&E department to ensure optimal patient care and safety.
OUR SOLUTION
Working closely with the hospital estates team, we developed and delivered detailed mechanical and electrical designs that met the unique requirements of a mental health facility.
Design included the provision of:
- Modifications to existing Live services
- Infrastructure upgrades & Rewiring of electrics
- Power, lighting, data, fire alarm
- Staff attack and nurse call systems
- Access control doors and CCTV coverage
- Modified ventilation systems
- Upgraded the domestic water services to serve the new layout
- Anti-ligature design
The project’s location next to the active A&E department presented a significant challenge, requiring meticulous planning and constant communication with hospital staff to minimise disruption to vital emergency services.
THE OUTCOME
The new mental health assessment unit now provides a secure and functional space that serves both patient and staff needs effectively. The careful integration of security systems with essential building services has created an environment that supports the delivery of urgent care while maintaining the highest safety standards.
Image Credit: Greenmount Projects
