Mental health bathroom solutions specialist Galvin Engineering was recently honoured at the Design in Mental Health conference for product innovation.

The Design in Mental Health Network conference brings together various stakeholders from around the world who are intimately involved in the mental health industry. With participation from designers, architects, engineers, care providers, government and product/ service suppliers, as well as thought leaders and speakers in this field, the conference continues to push the boundaries in all aspects of health design including providing safe, healthy and responsive environments for patients and carers.

Galvin Engineering won the Product Innovation Award for 2016 at the conference in Birmingham, UK, for its anti-ligature shower control valve with electronic activator.

Galvin Engineering has been attending the DIMH conference for the last three years, displaying their unique range of specialised taps and valves for mental health facilities alongside their partners in the UK, Wallgate Ltd. A leading designer and manufacturer of anti-ligature sanitaryware and control valves, Wallgate provides a comprehensive range of solid form fixtures designed to facilitate safer environments in specialist care bathrooms.

This focus sits well with Galvin’s vision of providing healthcare taps and valves that are safe, help speed up the process of healing, and feature a user-friendly and stylish design, unlike the harsh institutional look of products often provided by many manufacturers as a solution for behavioural health facilities.

Galvin’s research and interactions with mental healthcare experts around the globe over the years have helped the company understand the need to provide patients with normalised home-like spaces to realise positive outcomes including shorter lengths of stay, lower levels of aggression and critical incidents, and improved staff conditions.

The award-winning GalvinCare anti-ligature shower control valve with electronic activator is designed to provide users and patients with an easy-to-use way of activating and controlling a shower, with anti-ligature and vandal-resistant features integrated to fit the needs of mental healthcare environments.

Key features of the tap include a unique spherical controller that is easily manipulated by using the palm of the hand or fingers to control the temperature, making it suitable for people with arthritis or other impeding hand health issues; polished stainless steel finish and smooth form providing a normal homely look; and ability to resist heavy knocks and rough treatment.

Galvin’s new shower valve complements their full range of Mental Health showers, control valves, taps and fittings. Galvin Specialised can also provide a full bathroom solution for any mental health project with their partners in anti-ligature sanitaryware.

Image: The award-winning GalvinCare anti-ligature shower control valve