CCTV technology is an effective means of monitoring healthcare buildings, particularly corridors, communal facilities, and external areas.

However, in inpatient and consultation rooms, this ‘Big Brother’ effect can cause anxiety, threaten privacy and dignity, and alienate service users.

For this reason, vision panels have become increasingly popular, particularly in mental health environments.

Providing a window into, and out of a room, enables staff to monitor vulnerable service users, while protecting their right to privacy and dignity, particularly as the Government has ordered an end to dormitory-style inpatient accommodation in psychiatric units in favour of single ensuite patient bedrooms.

Vision panels are traditionally made from striped sliding glass, which can be opened and closed with a key fob.

A more-relaxed environment

Over recent years, though, designs have evolved, utilising technology to keep a record of when panels are opened and by whom.

And this is particularly important in cases where service users need to be checked on regularly, for example if they are likely to self harm or cause damage.

But, increasingly, panels are also being designed to improve the overall therapeutic environment, primarily through the use of colour and graphics.

Julian Hall, managing director of Kingsway Group, explains: “Creating environments which do not have an institutional feel has become more of a focus for our NHS trust partners. 

“The aim is the individuals with lived experience relax more and therefore the work undertaken becomes more impactful.

“Personalisation has become a buzzword we’ve heard over the last 12-24 months and we see personalisation and technology coming to the fore, with an increased ability to customise dependant on the needs of the clinical team and the client group they are working with. 

“Our partners want to be able to introduce more colour and vibrancy into the clinical environment to increase the ‘warmth’, and our customisable vision panels are a way to achieve this, enabling each room to have an individual element.”

Visual distraction

Kingsway’s Duralux and Visilux secure vision panels not only act as a safeguarding mechanism for clinical teams, but also add a visual element to a ward setting.

Earlier this year the company was appointed by East London NHS Foundation Trust to provide a full suite of anti-ligature and anti-barricade complete door systems for an eight-bed secure unit.

Working closely in partnership with the trust; lead consultants, Castons; and main contractor, T& B (Contractors); Kingsway’s team produced a range of images including woodland, plant, and water themes.  

Vistamatic has also seen an increase in interest in its bespoke vision panels in recent years.

Managing director, Mark Nash, told hdm: “While the basis of our panels hasn’t needed changing, listening to the requests from the NHS trusts has sparked new ideas and directions.

“We have developed bespoke-designed Vista Art panels, which enable graphics to be printed onto the panel. 

“This allows for a homelier aesthetic in mental health units, as well as being ideal for dementia care environments.”

And Phil Barsby, business development director at Intastop, said: “We understand how important the interior aesthetics are of any building. 

Cleaning up

“Evidence shows that mood, productivity, and the general wellbeing of building users can be greatly affected by the interior décor and it was this research that prompted us to offer capabilities to transform not only walls, which we have been doing for many years with our Digi-Print and Aspex digital image wall protection, but now doors and, in particular, vision panels. 

“DigiGlaze gives us the ability to create any image onto the glass, whether that be a simple logo or intricate design.”

Also driving R&D for vision panel manufacturers are the need for robustness and safety, with most vision panels now having anti-ligature fixings as standard, as well as a focus on ease of cleaning to help maintain stringent infection control protocols.

Nash said: “As well as aesthetics, a key focus area is size.

“Many existing vision panels are ideal for small and medium-sized placements, but they do have a limit with size constraints. 

“Once you go over a certain width and height, the middle panel takes a lot of force to raise and lower.

“With healthcare operators asking for bigger panels, we thought outside of the box and created BetweenGlassBlinds, providing units with integral blinds rather than heavier glass inset panels.

“The units can be manufactured at the large sizes clients want, without sacrificing privacy, infection control, or ease of use.

Supply and demand

“We can also provide the thicker glass and steel frames that may be required within the mental health sector, and have a variety of options when it comes to the handle operation. 

“We have created an anti-ligature thumb turn knob which is available on both Vistamatic and BGB units, as well as variable-size key locks. Theses panels work well with anti- barricade doors.”

Intastop’s Secura Vision Panel has also been developed in response to requests from NHS trusts.

The product has softer, more-rounded edges to the surround, helping to reduce the ligature risk.

Barsby said: “As market demands and test standards evolve, it’s natural panel designs will adapt and evolve to keep in line.

“Whether this is greater visibility, greater or smaller sizes, thicker glass, improved aesthetics, or adding electronics and technology into the panels – for example data recording of how many times the panel opens per day and by whom – time will tell.

“But, making sure they are fit for purpose for the environment is vital.

“Too under specified and the panels could break through abuse, creating a risk to both patient and staff, as well as increased maintenance costs.

“But also over specifying will add unnecessary extra cost to the project. 

“This is where working closely with manufacturers is key as they understand the needs of patients, staff, and buildings and are able to advise on the best solutions, which are not always the most expensive.”