Study Exploring Clean Air Benefits on Mental Health Inpatients Concludes

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12 February 2025

A research programme that examines the benefits of improving air quality in the enclosed environment of a mental health inpatient site in Bedford has concluded.

Thought to be the first study of its kind in a mental health inpatient unit, the research was undertaken at Fountains Court, a 26-bed acute assessment unit for older people with mental illness in Bedford.

The project involved using six AirPurity units to remove airborne pathogens and improve indoor air quality. These units, worth £15,000 each, have since been donated to Fountains Court. The results will be published and shared for peer review publication in due course.

“This is the only research of its kind in mental health globally that has explored the benefits for service users and also for staff,” said David Stevens, Director of Estates, Facilities & Capital Development at the East London NHS Foundation Trust. 

“The objective has been to really understand how improved air quality can help where patients have longer stays and different illnesses compared to physical health wards at acute hospitals and to also understand the physical and wellbeing benefits for staff in mental health inpatient services.”

Dr Angharad Ruttley, Medical Director, Luton and Bedfordshire Mental Health and Wellbeing Services, added: “It has been a privilege for ELFT to work alongside AirPurity in leading the way to test whether air cleaning can add another layer of mitigation against airborne viruses in psychiatric settings.

Picture: a photograph of a wall-mounted air quality indicator showing a green "thumbs up" icon, with the words "air quality" above it. A person's finger is hovering over the button. Image Credit: Adobe Stock

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 12 February 2025

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