The Limitations of HTM 04-01 in Mental Health Built Environments

Synopsis

In light of increased concerns over water safety in healthcare settings, where antibiotic resistance and other tolerances have been documented, a question mark remains as to whether-or-not the current Water Quality and Safety guidance suitably caters for the complex and additional demands which the mental health sector must contend with.

The requirement of mental health, to ensure maximisation of risk management processes, extends beyond infection and scald risk when considering the specific requirements of the user and must also vitally consider ligature risk when choosing sanitary options. The limitations to the implementation of typical risk management processes, typically implemented across other healthcare sectors, caused by such ligature resistant requirements are considered to compromise infection control measures.

Additional guidance regarding water safety, published by BSI, outlines consideration for detail in prescribed plans to control water-borne pathogens. The notion of a Water Safety Plan is somewhat established in healthcare; however, debate remains about the necessary details regarding such plans, particularly the mitigating factors in sectors such as mental health.

We seek to present considerations for discussion in the design of facilities in the mental health sector to ensure proportional measures between infection, scald and ligature risk are adequately considered to allow a safer installation, commissioning, testing and operation for users during future occupation.