To win one of the five briefs in ‘Design Bugs Out,’ a joint national initiative between the Department of Health and the Design Council to support innovation for healthcare products, Minima reinvented the hospital porter’s chair. The design delivers important infection control advantages for healthcare environments.
Minima conducted extensive research and had input from a variety of experts and end users. The new chair design posed a unique challenge as it travels all over the hospital – inside and out – and is subject to a high degree of wear and tear. By innovating in form, materials and function the resulting design has been very positively received.
Jane Kent, New Product Development Manager at Vernacare commented that:
“The result is light years away from the original chair which has seen very little development for 30-40 years. It is an easy to use Porter’s chair with very few dirt traps that is quick and easy to clean.”
The chair’s footrest rests on the floor but raises as the patients weight is applied to the seat, so there is no need for anyone to put hands where patients place their feet. The surfaces of the chair are smooth and easy to clean and any joins are positioned carefully to reduce the risk of trapping harmful bacteria.
The new design incorporates storage space for gas bottles and patient documents. A flat base under the seat provides a storage area for the patients’ belongings. The design also carefully considered to use of light coloured materials which help show patients that it is clean.
