Royal Oldham NHS Hospital, Oldham

The North West’s largest NHS Trust had a problem – newly installed blinds were breaking quickly and often because the plastic fittings were splitting under the strain of constant use by staff and patients. The money and time spent replacing the blinds was impinging on the Trust’s £44m development programme, and wasn’t sustainable for future developments. After discovering there was no viable off-the-shelf alternative, James Robertshaw offered the perfect solution – a bespoke, resilient blind system, designed specifically for the healthcare sector.

Specified by Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and instructed by Vinci Construction UK, JR began the survey process with immediate effect. Working within the stringent demands expected by the client and adhering to all PPE and on-site health and safety requirements, the survey team conducted the process smoothly and efficiently. Communicating clearly with the contractor with JR's project management team, our expectations to ensure a concise and professional outcome was acheived from all parties involved. Upon these processes, a quick, clean and competent installation would follow.

As a result of the detailed survey performed and design detail agreed with the principle contractor, architect and client, all the blinds were manufactured and installed within a three week turnaround.

Working closely with the Trust, James Robertshaw created a strong, safe blind, which can withstand the pressures of hospital life. The new blind used anti-bacterial fabrics, metal instead of plastic, heat sealed pockets for weights, and a double bridge, anti-ligature operating chain. The adapted product was first fitted in the Royal Oldham’s new women’s and children development in 2012.