Earlier this month, UK keyless and wireless access control provider SimonsVoss took part in the prestigious Design in Mental Health (DiMH) 2025 Conference & Exhibition, held at Manchester Central on the 3rd and 4th of June. The event, a cornerstone in the mental health design calendar, brought together manufacturers, healthcare professionals, NHS Trusts, architects, and innovation leaders to explore how thoughtful design can shape safer, more therapeutic care environments.
SimonsVoss UK joined the show in partnership with long-term collaborator Anti-Ligature Shop (ALS), who exhibited their fully fitted mobile showroom. This attention-grabbing display featured real-world applications of anti-ligature technologies and drew large crowds – especially on Day 1, when ALS’s stand was the most visited at the event.
Driving Innovation in Mental Health Security
As part of our presence at the ALS stand, we showcased the SimonsVoss UK System 3060 technology integrated with Safe Access Evolution (SAE) units, highlighting how our wireless solutions enhance safety in mental health environments. A standout feature was the SAE demo blocks with SimonsVoss UK cylinders, as well as a dedicated door set from Intrastop, demonstrating how access control integrates seamlessly into ligature-resistant architecture.
Visitors responded positively to the flexibility, credential compatibility, and retrofit-friendly design of SimonsVoss solutions. Ricardo Balla, our Area Sales Manager for Central England and Wales, commented on how the robustness and reversibility of the technology made it well-suited for facilities that need adaptable, future-proof solutions without complex installs.
Listening, Learning, and Collaborating
While the second day of the show experienced lighter footfall, the quality of conversations remained high. Many visitors were already familiar with SimonsVoss UK solutions and in ongoing conversations with the brand – underlining strong industry interest, though many highlighted tight NHS budgets and slow procurement processes as barriers to short-term adoption.
Nevertheless, discussions proved valuable. The ALS team, as well as partners from Point 5 Security, Instock Hardware, and METADOR, expressed keen interest in FORTLOX, a new SimonsVoss innovation previewed informally during the show. Though not yet public, the feedback from OEM manufacturers and door hardware specialists was encouraging, suggesting future integration opportunities into ligature-resistant design specifications.
Understanding the Sector’s Pressing Themes
Throughout the event, a few recurring themes emerged:
- Patient and staff safety remains the top priority, with increasing scrutiny on how risk is mitigated in behavioural health environments.
- The industry is shifting its terminology from “anti-ligature” to “ligature-resistant,” emphasising realistic, risk-based assessments over absolute guarantees.
- There is a strong need for education and guidance around safe specification, especially in environments where staff must “think like the patient” when evaluating potential hazards.
- Budgetary pressures – particularly in Northern and Central NHS Trusts – continue to slow down the pace of innovation adoption, creating an urgent need for suppliers to demonstrate ROI, operational efficiency, and long-term cost savings.
A Forward-Thinking Partnership for Safer Care
By working in close collaboration with ALS and key industry players, UK keyless and wireless access control provider SimonsVoss is positioning itself as a trusted technology partner for the mental health and care sectors. ALS has already requested follow-up meetings to explore how System 3060 and FORTLOX could be further embedded in future ligature-resistant environments — a promising sign for care settings and end-users alike.
With its focus on safety, simplicity, and intelligent access, SimonsVoss continues to offer powerful, patient-centred solutions for the most sensitive healthcare environments.
You can learn more about SimonsVoss UK in care and healthcare setting on our Care Home or Healthcare pages. Or to learn more about our Safe Access Solutions, you can get in touch with your local keyless access specialist on our contact page.
