Hospital haven - Top care project completed by Solid State

Solid State has completed a major project at new £6.5M purpose-built mental health centre in Kendray, Barnsley.

Located adjacent to the existing Kendray Hospital site and linked to the main hospital by a connecting corridor, the Oakwell Centre is a brand new acute mental health unit consisting of two 15 bed separate male and female wards, a six bed Intensive Care Unit and a therapy/administration area.

Solid State were appointed by leading Mechanical and Electrical Contractors, Haden Young, to supply, install and commission one of C-TEC's powerful Quantec addressable call systems. As Barnsley NHS Trust was already an existing client and required a company fully conversant with the technical nuances of Quantec, Solid State were involved from early tender stage. A crucial part of this process was to demonstrate how Quantec would benefit the new facility to existing staff, the design team and the clinical management team. Throughout the project, Solid State assisted the design team with the system’s development.

The specification also called for infrared staff-attack coverage in all patient areas, including external spaces and courtyards. Consequently, Quantec’s innovative radio receivers and pagers were introduced throughout the entire site to enhance the coverage of the centre’s staff-attack system. Infrared master receivers were housed in IP rated boxes mounted under the soffits covering the external courtyards and walkways.

Extensive testing of addressable call systems in medical facilities is vital. Solid State’s engineers checked the system’s functionality thoroughly by activating the transmitters all around the outside of the building to ensure that they operated correctly in daylight. Another important consideration was to assess what kind of line of sight distances were involved with few or no reflective surfaces assisting the reception externally.

Said Nigel Thomas of Solid State: “Although we are used to carrying out major installations in hospitals and care facilities, this project was particularly challenging due to the sheer number of devices required – over 500 – and the complicated ‘cause and effects’ requested by the client. However, the overall installation was an outstanding success and testament to our extensive experience in managing healthcare projects of this size”.