Hospital room divider wins UK James Dyson Award
A room divider for use in hospitals, developed by designer Michael Korn, has won the UK leg of the international James Dyson Award.
The Kwick Screen divider uses Rola Tube technology, which means the screens can be rolled up and moved around easily.
The system can be used to address issues around privacy and dignity, as well as providing a side-room solution for patients with infections.
It can also display bespoke images, which means that visual arts can be used in new areas of the healthcare environment.
The system, developed by Cambridge University and Royal College of Art graduate Korn, who is currently based at the RCA’s business incubator Innovation RCA, launched eight months ago and has so far been sold to more than 25 NHS trusts, as well as hospitals in Italy, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.
Korn says he will use the £1000 prize to develop his product further by enlisting an engineer.
Sebastian Conran, who sat on the judging panel for the award, says, ‘This is such a simple idea, using a well-proven mechanical principle in a unique and innovative way, which seems to have endless applications in a variety of different fields. I just wish I’d thought of it.’
The Kwick Screen design will now compete against winning designs from the 18 other participating countries, with the international James Dyson Award winner to be announced on 8 November.
The winner will receive £10 000 plus £10 000 for their university department.
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A very simple and effective design thats flexibility will give it many uses in hospitals.
I love the video on youtube!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3r774QPnUc&feature=player_embedded
Simple and attractive .. I really like it.
The videos on their website are pretty cool too.
When can we have them in our school?
A real step forward for everyone – patients, clinical staff and managers. Good luck.
Great idea. Great for patients, great for clinical staff and great for managers. Good luck, Michael.