Ligature resistant bathroom fixtures for Tamworth’s modern mental health facility  

The Tamworth Mental Health Unit is a major NSW Health infrastructure project delivering a new, purpose-built inpatient mental health facility integrated within the existing hospital campus. Replacing the ageing unit, the development significantly expands capacity and aligns with contemporary, recovery-focused models of care.

Delivered as part of the NSW Government’s Statewide Mental Health Infrastructure Program, the facility improves access to modern mental health services in regional communities, with a strong emphasis on safety, dignity, and therapeutic outcomes.

Challenge

Mental health environments require a careful balance between safety, durability, and user wellbeing. Fixtures must minimise ligature risks, prevent misuse, and withstand intensive use, while supporting a calm and recovery-focused setting.

The project evolved over a five-year period from 2020, expanding to 37 beds following additional funding. Close collaboration with the Studio STH and Hunter New England Health (HNEH) was critical to respond to scope changes and deliver compliant, fit-for-purpose solutions.

Key challenges included:

• Achieving consistent ligature resistant performance across all wet areas
• Preventing concealment of contraband and fixture misuse
• Delivering functional accessible solutions for ensuites
• Supporting a design approach centred on trauma-informed care and cultural connection

Solution

Galvin worked closely with stakeholders throughout the design and delivery process, providing practical, fit-for-purpose solutions aligned with the project’s co-design and “Connecting with Country” approach.

A coordinated range of ligature resistant tapware and bathroom fixtures was supplied across patient areas, including showers, outlets, sensor and flow control, as well as ligature resistant rails and robe hooks to ensure consistency in safety and performance.

Galvin’s involvement extended beyond product supply, contributing technical input and design support to address specific project challenges and evolving requirements over the project lifecycle.

Key Features & Project Solutions

• Ligature resistant design: Supports patient safety across all wet areas and fixtures
• Robust, vandal-resistant construction: Withstands intensive use in high-risk environments
• Enhanced drainage performance: Higher-flow ligature resistant floor drains reduce pooling and maintenance issues
• Tamper resistant waste solutions: Minimise blockages and prevent concealment of contraband
• Accessible design: Performance-based basin tapware solutions for ensuites
• Custom integration: Tailored coving solutions to suit Wallgate pans and project-specific requirements
• Support for therapeutic environments: Aligns with trauma-informed and recovery-focused design principles

Outcome

The new Mental Health Unit delivers a modern, safe, and therapeutic environment that reflects best practice in mental health design. Through early engagement and ongoing collaboration, Galvin contributed to a coordinated, reliable tapware and bathroom fixtures solution that supports both clinical care and operational efficiency.

Why Galvin

Galvin’s expertise in mental health and secure environments, combined with a specialised range of ligature resistant tapware and bathroom fixtures, enabled the delivery of practical, compliant solutions. By working closely with project stakeholders over an extended timeframe, Galvin helped ensure the facility meets the complex and evolving needs of patients, staff, and the broader community.

Key Data

Products Installed