Step Exhibitions
Balco SoftDispenser
Nominee Information
The Balco SoftDispenser was borne from discussions with NHS mental health professionals around their biggest risks. There is very little available which is reduced ligature, where the breakaway part doesn’t increase the weapons risk. Using our machinery and techniques from the Balco Breakaway Mounting Plate and knowledge of soft products such as the SoftDoor and SoftBox, we were able to prototype the new SoftDispenser that is launching at the DiMH show this year.
Engaging regularly in the process with teams from Pennine NHS and Notts NHS, as both trusts had this issue at the top of their Ligature risk reduction agendas, we worked on the concept from the middle of 2021 and into 2022. At each step of the way, these NHS teams have provided invaluable insights into making this the safest dispenser currently available.
In 2022, we were shortlisted and won the highly commended award for Product Concept Innovation of the year with the first concept of the SoftDispenser, this year features a new and improved version. The SoftDispenser will remove the risk associated with using fixed dispensers, and the risk of hard breakaway dispensers being weaponised. At the point of submission this product is at pre-production stage and is going out to a range of trusts for live trials. The product is set to launch for at the DiMH show 2023 and will be available for purchase from this date.
– Made from soft rubberised material with anti-microbial additive
– Colour to suit room scheme, available upon request
– Weighs under 500g
– Breaks away under 6-8 kgs. Magnets can be changed for lower breakaway weight EDU’s
– The backing plate has concealed magnets secured on the reverse. As they are secured to the wall it makes it difficult for them to be removed.
– Reduced ligature
– Minimal weapons risk
– minimal risk for self harm
– Lower risk and lower cost than alternatives on the market
– Hard to tear, reducing risk of ingestion
– Soft so it doesn’t break if it gets thrown around
– Doesn’t snap, no sharp edges, reducing the risk of self harm
– Easy to clean, very good for infection control
We believe this new type of ‘soft’ innovation hasn’t ever been created before and offers mental health wards a new dispenser for toilet tissues which can’t be ligatured off or weaponised, and will be more cost effective than other options on the market.
