NHS Basildon Mental Health Unit

Based at Basildon University Hospital, the Basildon Mental Health Unit is a busy assessment hub providing acute care services for a full range of mental health conditions.

With 20 beds, the unit is critical in assessing the wellbeing of people referred to the unit before making decisions on admittance and care. It deals with people suffering from a wide spectrum of mental disorders, including dementia and learning difficulties, and also takes referrals from other services due to concerns to personal safety.

A while ago, Brentwood supplied the unit with a fleet of Vertex VX-231 analogue two way radios to help improve staff safety and ensure all practitioners could gain assistance whenever required.

However, The South Essex Partnership Foundation recently contacted Brentwood to explain the handsets no longer quite fit with staff requirements, that they were finding them a little large and awkward to carry about on busy shifts.

Our solution

After visiting the unit to observe how the handsets were being used for ourselves, we realised that staff needed a two way radio that was smaller, more portable and more discreet.

Although by no means the largest radio handset ever made, the VX-231 is an all-purpose model designed to be durable in all weather conditions and environments. This robust construction adds a little bulk to the chassis we recognised was not required for use indoors on a hospital ward.

We therefore recommended the Foundation replace the fleet with the digital Motorola SL4000. Weighing in at just 153g, the SL4000 has the look and feel of a small non-touchscreen mobile phone. Its compact antenna and slim profile mean it easily fits into a pocket, perfect for carrying around discreetly and using on the go.

Moreover, the SL4000 proves that small things can still pack a punch. Thanks to the digital radio technology it uses, it still provides outstanding quality audio and reliable network coverage over a large range. It also offers the benefits of integration with other data services, meaning it can be used to send texts and emails and connect to other devices via Wifi, Bluetooth and even link into telephone lines.