When it comes to creating safer environments for some of the most vulnerable people in the community, every detail matters. That philosophy is driving Kingsway Group’s contribution to Christchurch’s new Hillmorton Hospital development, where the international specialist in anti-ligature solutions is supplying critical door systems designed to reduce risk and improve patient safety. Kingsway Group head of sales ANZ Jordan Cross says the Hillmorton project represents a significant milestone for the company in New Zealand, following previous work with Te Whatu Ora on mental health facilities including Waikato Hospital. “The scale of Hillmorton makes it a flagship project for us,” he says. “It has been about understanding what Te Whatu Ora’s anti-ligature requirements are, what solutions they were looking for, and working with them to come up with the right approach.” Kingsway Group’s involvement began about two years ago as part of its wider relationship with Te Whatu Ora, supporting safer mental health environments across the country. The company is supplying about 200 doors for the Hillmorton development, including approximately 80 bedroom doors fitted with anti-ligature technology. The systems alert staff if pressure is applied to the top of a door, providing an early warning if an attempt is made to attach a ligature. The doors also feature anti-attack vision panels, tri-laminate hardwood core, and specially designed hinges with no gaps, creating robust systems that prioritise safety and durability. Jordan says one of the key challenges in mental health construction projects is ensuring all components work together effectively. “Traditionally, you might buy a hinge from one supplier and a door from another, then try to put everything together on site,” he says. “That approach can introduce installation complexity and doesn’t necessarily result in a full integrated anti-ligature solution.” Kingsway Group provides a complete system, with products manufactured and tested together before installation. Its project managers work alongside contractors on site to oversee installation and ensure the systems perform as intended. “We don’t just want to be a supplier of doors and walk away,” Jordan says. “We’re there from the start of a project right through to the end, and for every project after that. If something goes wrong, we rectify it because at the end of the day, it is about people’s lives.” Established in the United Kingdom, Kingsway Group has become a major provider of anti-ligature solutions, working with more than 85 percent of National Health Service mental health trusts and delivering more than 10,000 projects globally. The company expanded into Australia and New Zealand in 2021, bringing its specialist knowledge of mental health environments to a growing local market. Its innovations are developed through real world customer feedback, including the KALM Co Produced Washroom Range, which was created over two years in collaboration with lived experience experts in the UK. The design process has been recognised by the Design in Mental Health network and the Building Better Healthcare Awards for creating safer washroom environments without compromising dignity or therapeutic design. Jordan says innovation remains central to Kingsway Group’s ongoing work. “We are always looking at how we can make things safer and more effective,” he says. “Mental health environments are changing, and we need to continue developing solutions that support both patients and staff.” With projects like Hillmorton Hospital, Kingsway Group continues to work alongside healthcare providers to deliver safer, more therapeutic environments across Australia and New Zealand. All About The Detail
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=