Specialist NHS Advice
January 2010
As you'd expect, we offer a wide range of services to its clients. These can range from day-to-day issues such as property management and to more specialist advice.
One such service involves designing and adapting properties to reduce the opportunity for self harm and this comes under the watchful eye of Senior Project Designer Stephen Brookes.
"Adapting buildings to minimise the ability of patients to commit suicide is one of those niche markets that most people don't give a second thought to, but is actually vitally important," says Stephen
"When we’re working on projects like these, we’ll recommend things such as magnetic curtain tracks, specialised shower fittings, vision panels in doors etc.
"The idea behind all these innovations is to offer patients little opportunity to harm themselves whilst they are being treated.
"We'll work with ward managers and hospital staff to agree a complete programme of works and whether we’re looking at existing premises or starting from scratch, every building’s needs are different.
"We’re also completely up-to-date with the latest legislation and best practice so that hospitals and other sections of the caring professions can be absolutely certain they are getting excellent advice."
Desmond Hirsch, a director of Januarys Professional Services department added, “Using a consultancy such as Januarys offers clients access to a huge range of enormously skilled people.
“Away from the everyday issues we handle, Januarys brings its expertise to a number of small but very important markets.
“Clients are constantly surprised by what we can offer them; it's usually much more than they were expecting."