Designed in association with Andy Johnston Associates for more dignified physical intervention
The couch allows 2 staff members to sit either side of the patient, rotated towards the centre at a 33-degree angle. The inward angled design of the sofa allows staff to sit naturally by placing their feet with a wide stable base and provides essential back support for staff who would otherwise be in a twisted position, reducing the effectiveness of their techniques and risking back injuries. It also provides lateral support for staff from sideways forces which may otherwise cause them to be pushed towards the side of the couch.
The lower part of the couch is angled inwards towards the floor, creating a supportive footwell and extra space for staff seated on each side and staff approaching from the front. This also enables staff to secure patient ankles and place them back against the sofa footwell, hampering efforts towards standing up quickly.
The centre seat is lower than the other side seats and provides a slight downward gradient towards the back of the couch thus reducing the ability to slide forwards off the couch. The lower patient seat position design provides three supportive features to both staff and patients.
Lower seated position also benefits staff to apply safer techniques in relation to securing legs. In addition to reducing the risks of positional asphyxiation, an upright sitting position makes communication easier between patients and staff which helps to develop co-productive relationships that aid verbal de-escalation and reduce the level of physical restraint required.
