Vernacare has appointed a UK manufacturing team to produce its new porter’s chair, created as part of the Department of Health and NHS PASA’s “Design Bugs Out” challenge (HEJ – June 2009).
Full prototypes will be ready for detailed evaluation by hospitals next month, with a view to a May launch. Vernacare has worked with design consultancy Minima to create the new “easy clean chair”, to be produced in Stone, Staffordshire by rotational moulding specialist Tecni-form. Designed both to address infection prevention, and to be comfortable and functional, the chair incorporates a non-contact footrest that rises automatically when the patient is safely seated. The tough metal frame is protected by a smooth, durable plastic body comprising three moulded plastic parts that will withstand chlorinebased cleaning and come apart easily for deep cleaning. The arms swing out of the way for lateral transfer of patients and the leg supports pull-out at the front. The latest design also incorporates considerable storage space, and a holder for wipes. Feedback from a Design Bugs Out tour of hospitals and healthcare events, together with Vernacare’s own detailed user group evaluation, informed modifications to the original design.
