St Ann’s Hospital in Poole is a psychiatric hospital for adult patients experiencing acute mental health conditions. As part of Dorset HealthCare NHS Trust – one of the UK’s largest mental health service providers – St Ann’s provides ongoing mental health and community-based support to individuals with a range of mental health disorders.
Over the years, St Ann’s has evolved significantly, including the addition of a new building in 2012 and a full refurbishment of the adult inpatient mental health unit in 2017. A new eating disorder unit was built in 2023, and the hospital is currently building a new 2-storey building to open in Spring 2026.
While caring for vulnerable patients, mental health professionals can encounter challenging situations that may escalate rapidly. Individuals experiencing acute mental health disorders may present unpredictable or hostile behaviour, and St Ann’s recognises that protecting its staff and patients from such conduct is essential, both for general wellbeing and to reduce interruptions to care.
Similarly, healthcare staff may require non-urgent assistance, such as when carrying out a group activity. The ability to quickly call for extra help is vital for the seamless running of the facility and enhanced quality of care.
Pinpoint has a strong working relationship with the hospital and is highly aware of the unique needs of its staff and patients.
Frontline team members throughout the hospital wear Personal Infrared Transmitters (PITs) during each shift to ensure they can summon support when needed. These discreet devices offer two levels of alert: Assistance and Emergency. When activated, the PIT sends an infrared signal to Advanced Receiver Units positioned throughout the hospital, which in turn communicates the exact location and urgency of the call to fellow staff. The rapid, targeted response allows staff to intervene and de-escalate potentially dangerous situations, thereby reducing risk for workers and other residents.
For patients, Pinpoint Call Buttons have been installed at accessible intervals throughout the inpatient mental health and eating disorder units. By pressing a button on a wall-mounted Call Button, patients can request staff assistance safely and easily, whether they need help carrying out daily activities or sense that they or another patient is about to become distressed.
With the Pinpoint System in place, staff feel more confident and secure, knowing that help is always within reach should they need it. Equally, the presence of Call Buttons gives both patients, and their families, peace of mind that professional help is always readily available, while also affording inpatients a degree of independence and autonomy.
Continuing their ongoing partnership, Pinpoint’s systems will soon also be extended to a new 2-storey building, which includes two Adult PICU and Adult Acute wards. This extension is a testament to the quality of the System in creating a safe and responsive environment for all on-site.