Older Persons Mental Health Unit

The Swindon OPMHU is a Mental Health Unit for elderly patients on the site of The Great Western Hospital in Swindon. The building consists of Two Bedroom Wards comprising 23 en-suite rooms, various therapy treatment and day rooms, kitchens and dining areas and 1st floor admin area.

The emphasis was on the installation in all patient areas being anti ligature due to the nature of the patients illnesses. This was reflected in the use of ceiling mounted radiant heating panels, security grilles, luminaire selection, the Nurse call and wireless staff attack system, balancing valves and thermostatic valve to safely control the HWS temperatures.

MJN Colston were responsible for the mechanical, electrical and public health services installation which consisted of the following:

A natural gas installation to boilers, kitchens and HWS heaters. Mains and booster cold water distribution. LTHW heating incorporating radiant panels fed via manifolds and pre-insulated pipework. Ventilation utilizing AHU and local extract systems. Sanitaryware and above ground drainage including co-ordination with specialist healthcare equipment. Refrigerant DX cooling systems to the two hub/server rooms. BMS system to monitor and control the building services systems throughout the building.

LV distribution with standby generator to supply the essential services. Anti ligature lighting and small power installations co-ordinating with the specialist healthcare equipment. Fire alarm system commissioned to evacuate the building in a specifically controlled manner. Access control with attack release of doors to consulting rooms.

Specialist nurse call system with wireless staff attack alarm system. CCTV and Intruder alarms to secure the facility. Structured Cat 5e cabling installation for voice and data systems. Digital sound and TV signal distribution throughout with induction loops for the hearing impaired.

Project Team

  • Client - Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
  • Main Contractor - Kier Western
  • Architect - Kendall Kingscott
  • Services Engineers - Silcock Dawson & Partners
  • Quantity Surveyors - Gleeds
  • Services Value - £1.4m