Synopsis

How can specifiers make informed product choices for mental health environments when different settings, products and patient groups present different levels of risk?

This presentation will introduce the Loss Prevention Certification Board’s (LPCB) Products for Mental Health Safeguarding (ProMHS) verification scheme and the Informed Choices testing guidance developed with the Design in Mental Health Network.

The session will explore:

1. Why consistent product testing matters, including the role of Informed Choices in providing a consistent approach to assessing products intended for mental health environments.
2. How products are assessed, taking delegates through the process from initial scoping and technical review to testing, reporting and verification, including areas such as ligature susceptibility and robustness.
3. How ProMHS supports informed product choice. Rather than treating product assessment as a simple pass or fail judgement, ProMHS records how a product performs against defined testing criteria. This provides manufacturers with independent evidence of product performance and gives specifiers information they can use when considering the needs and risk profile of a particular setting.
4. Drawing on Laura’s experience working with manufacturers through the ProMHS process, the presentation will show how independent testing and verification can support greater confidence in product selection and, ultimately, safer and better mental health environments for patients.

The Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB)

The Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) is a globally recognised third-party certification body that has worked with industry and insurers for over 150 years. Part of BRE, LPCB provides independent testing, certification and verification to give manufacturers, specifiers and end users confidence in product performance.

At Design for Healthcare Environments Ireland, LPCB will be showcasing the Products for Mental Health Safeguarding (ProMHS) verification scheme, developed in partnership with the Design in Mental Health Network. ProMHS provides a consistent and repeatable approach to testing products used in mental health environments, helping specifiers make informed product choices based on independently verified performance.