Project Summary
A beautiful image of colourful butterflies has been encapsulated in CS Acrovyn by Design, transforming the entrance to the mortuary area of St Michael’s Hospital.
Full Case Study
St Michael’s Hospital is a small and friendly NHS teaching hospital, providing a range of facilities from maternity services and gynaecology, to audiology and genetics.
Design Goals
Bristol Sands, a charity supporting people affected by the death of a baby, wanted to lift the external appearance of the viewing room at the St Michael’s Hospital mortuary. The goal was to make the doorway stand out, making it easy to identify when directing nurses or escorting bereaved families. St Michael’s also wanted to put a stop to the damage and feeling of neglect the corridor had.
“We wanted bereaved families to be reassured that their loved one is well looked after whilst in our care and this doorway gives an important first impression of care and sympathy.” said Amy Lee, Senior Anatomical Pathology Technologist.
Studies have found that carefully selected imagery can have positive effects on people’s state of mind, often relaxing or distracting them in some way. It was decided that a beautifully symbolic image of a collection of colourful butterflies was to be applied to the door and walls, tying the door to the name of the bereavement suite on the neonatal intensive care unit.
Due to the number of deliveries and equipment passing through the corridor, a durable and hygienic graphic solution was important. St Michael’s Hospital chose CS Acrovyn by Design.
Results
Installed on the walls and door to the mortuary, the beautiful butterfly image encapsulated in Acrovyn by Design has transformed the dull blue walls and cream doors, which now offer a sensitive, sympathetic aesthetic for the bereaved families.
Acrovyn by Design’s PVC-Free composition and ease of cleaning offers the perfect medium for St Michael’s Hospital, providing superior impact resistance and cleanability compared to traditional graphic solutions.
To protect the frames of the door from damage, mitred Acrovyn SSM20 Corner Guards in Pacific Blue were installed, offering robust and durable protection for the vulnerable frames, whilst complementing and nicely framing the doorway.
“One of the best effects the covering and architrave has had is that it has all but stopped damage to the doorway. Previously the vast number of deliveries and servicing equipment that passed through the corridor were crashing into it daily. This damage gave a horrible impression to the bereaved families that visited this space; it looked like the hospital didn’t care about their loss. Acrovyn by Design now singles out the doorway, making it easy to identify when directing nurses or escorting bereaved families.”
[Amy Lee, Senior Anatomical Pathology Technologist]