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The next group of applications again involve patients - some with special needs - and the public, and raise issues of controlled access as well as other performance criteria. Leaderflush Shapland can advise on access control and security with an extensive range of doorset solutions.

Accommodation for day care - HBN 52

This should be considered in conjunction with dedicated Diagnostic Treatment Centres (DTCs) which are being promoted by the Department of Health. The HBN covers Day Surgery Units, Endoscopy Units and Medical investigation and treatment units.

Hospital accommodation for elderly people - HBN 37

Similar requirements to HBN 04. While a therapeutic and restful environment is important, issues of access control for confused patients who may wander and emergency access in case of collapse are particularly relevant.

• Ease of operation, particularly ironmongery
• Fire escape doorlock interlinks for auto release to prevent 'wandering'
• Lock suiting for access by various different user groups
• Accommodation of day-care for the elderly
• Emergency access to WCs

Accommodation for people with mental illness - HBN 35

Generally as for HBN 04 but with additional considerations.

• Security and egress control
• Ironmongery and ligature risk avoidance
• Anti-barricade door and lock design

Leaderflush Shapland offers a range of products within its Leaderflush Shapland brand that are suitable for mental health facilities. Examples include emergency release Pivette and the anti-barricade doorset. Contact Leaderflush Shapland to discuss your requirements.

Primary and social care premises:
Planning and design guidance - HBN 36 (website)

The previous HBN 46, 'General Medical Practice Premises' has now been superceded by current web-based design guidance available via www.primarycare.nhsestates.gov.uk. As well as extensive guidance on policies, procedures and funding, the website gives specific advice on key areas of detailed design, including corridor widths, doorway sizes to critical spaces (eg bed/trolley access to treatment rooms) and protection (eg impact protection to doors to utility rooms). Health Facilities Note HFN 20,'Access Audits for Primary Healthcare
Facilities' (1997) provides well-illustrated design guidance for GPs and practice managers, for DDA-compliant entrance doors, access ramps, WCs etc in new or refurbished GP premises. HBN 36 'Local Healthcare Facilities - Supplement 1' (1996) provides detailed design guidance for professions allied to medicine, such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech therapy. These services are, increasingly, integrated within new primary care premises developed under 'LIFT' initiatives. The usual considerations of wayfinding, ease of access, infection control and impact protection, apply to the design and specification of doorsets and ironmongery, in such expanded primary care premises. Sound reduction for privacy between areas within primary care premises is also an important consideration.

Housing for living in the community - HTM 88 update

Fire hazard rooms (such as kitchens, laundries, smoking rooms and bedrooms) are referred to requiring FR30 fire doors but the 'rising-butt' hinges called for are not currently recommended. Security combined with accessibility is important using appropriate communal entry systems.

Maternity department - HBN 21

Generally as for HBN 04 with the following additional considerations.

• Generous access to showers/WCs
• Security (preventing baby theft), such as swipecard access

Hospital accommodation for children and young people - HBN 23

Generally as for HBN 04 with these additional considerations.

• Vision panel heights
• Bespoke colour/design for a therapeutic environment
• Ease of operation
• Security systems (preventing child theft)
• Parents' overnight facilities with hotel-type door access control

Audiology departments - HTM 2045

These specialist facilities are dealt with in 'Sound Insulation' and require heavy doorsets with seals to minimise sound transmission. HTM 2045 also includes performance criteria for sound reduction in various other areas of healthcare buildings unassociated with Audiology together with a design procedure. However, the procedure is particularly complex and generally regarded as of little practical value.