Calm Skies and Relaxed Patients Predicted for NHS CyberKnife®

Jan. 20, 2011 - PRLog -- The first CyberKnife robotic radiotherapy suite in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), located in Mount Vernon Hospital, Middlesex, features a Sky Factory Circular Luminous SkyCeiling™ to enhance the patient experience. The realistic illusion of sky brings the beauty and soothing properties of nature to an otherwise stressful and intimidating medical environment.

Sky Factory UK collaborated with AD Architects of Hertford and Accuray CyberKnife suppliers to provide the first circular SkyCeiling installation in the NHS. Allan Sinclair, Director of Sky Factory UK, states, “The project was brought in on time, within budget, and more than met the client’s expectations. As a result of this success, Sky Factory UK was awarded the supply of another circular SkyCeiling to London’s Royal Marsden CyberKnife project.” Sky Factory UK has completed over 30 projects, installing SkyCeilings in hospitals throughout the UK and Ireland.

Watch video walk-through:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xXeYh49nOk



AD Architects sought to achieve as natural and calming an environment as space and resources allowed in the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre. Factoring in the innate human connection to nature, the firm incorporated evidence-based biophilic design elements to reduce patient anxiety and promote relaxation. In addition to the Sky Factory’s virtual skylight, LED tree leaf patterns are integrated into the wall that patients see when entering the suite.

Lead Architect Jim Haigh explains, “AD Architects was pleased to work with The Sky Factory to supply the Circular Luminous SkyCeiling in the first UK NHS CyberKnife installation. The calming effect on patients and staff entering the room was exactly what we were looking for.”

Project Details
Client: East & North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
Project cost: £3.8m
Location: Mount Vernon Hospital, Middlesex
Lead Architect: Jim Haigh, AD Architects
Construction: SDC
Photos: Andy Spain Photography
CyberKnife® by Accuray
Sky Factory SkyCeiling supplied by Sky Factory UK
www.sky-factory.co.uk

Sky Factory will exhibit at the European Congress of Radiology (ECR) in Vienna, Austria, March 3 – 7, booth #614. For a complete list of Sky Factory International Partners, visit www.TheSkyFactory.com.

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The Sky Factory creates authentic illusions of nature (virtual skylights & windows) that dramatically transform enclosed spaces into oases of natural healing, serenity and beauty. Sky Factory products elicit a psycho-physiological relaxation response.