Pearson Lloyd

Flow X is a revolutionary new stairlift that puts comfort, aesthetics and user experience at the forefront of its design. Developed for mobility specialist Access BDD, a division of the global tech company TK Elevator, Flow X is a transformative, technologically advanced mobility solution that is as visually appealing as it is life-enhancingly functional.

The population of adults aged 60 and over is growing rapidly, and will soon exceed that of under-fives. With a new generation of discerning, design-aware, tech-literate seniors on the rise, Flow X is one of the first stairlift products designed specifically to meet the physical and emotional needs of this increasingly independent audience.

Improving the experience of hospital Emergency Departments
A Better A&E is set of design solutions, now introduced at over 20 NHS trusts, aimed at improving the experience of patients and visitors in UK Emergency Departments.

Created by a multidisciplinary team led by Pearson Lloyd, A Better A&E responded to the prevalence of violent and aggressive behaviour perpetrated by patients and visitors to staff in the NHS at a cost of over £70m per year in staff absence, litigation costs and reduced productivity. Recognising that poor visitor experience is a key driver of these incidents, Pearson Lloyd developed a three-pronged approach to creating a calmer and more relaxing care environment for everyone. The solutions work to ensure both patients and staff have the best possible experience of the complex, high pressure environment that is A&E, where pain and worry can alter behaviour.

The DBO Commode represents a shift in commode design, reducing infection transfer. It has two key parts: the ‘shell’ forming the patient interface, and a single stainless wheelable frame. A top-loading bedpan contains the spread of aerosol and therefore infection transfer.The separation means that the shell can simply be lifted off, and has no fixings or features to inhibit what is now a wipe clean process. Damaged components are easily replaced without condemning the whole product. The number of parts has been minimised, making cleaning quicker and easier. The frame and shell nest and stack for easy storage.

Our team has been awarded the commission to focus on the issues within transfer and mobility. The result is a collection of products: a poncho, a bay screen and a day chair. These tackle issues such as privacy, comfort, communication and self-control and can work together or in isolation.

As part of our initial research, we identified four primary reasons for the loss of dignity within a hospital environment. These are privacy, comfort, communication and self-control. To reduce these elements increases the loss of dignity, to increase these elements reduces the loss of dignity. Rather than concentrate on one product, we have chosen to deliver a series of products that can work together or in isolation.

This reflects a wide-ranging research process that sought to identify potential solutions to the brief. Unlike some of the briefs whose focus is on issues within the ward, the transfer and mobility brief has to look at dignity across the hospital environment.