Partitioning experts Style have reported a rise in enquiries from within the healthcare sector for their Skyfold vertical-folding, automatic moveable wall. Housed within the ceiling cavity, the Skyfold unit is unique in that it requires zero floor space when not in use. It also offers a hygienic partitioning solution in that it requires no vertical wall guides or floor tracks where germs may be harboured. Fully automatic, the moveable wall quickly descends at the touch of a button to create a firm divide that delivers outstanding privacy between the areas. In fact, Skyfold has recently achieved a new industry standard for acoustic performance of 59dB Rw making it the most advanced, fully-automatic system on the market today.

Julian Sargent, Managing Director Style, explains "Design of healthcare facilities is moving forward. “Areas as diverse as operating theatres to dental practices need to work harder. They must be capable of being quickly adapted to respond to changing requirements throughout the day". Installed in countless healthcare environments throughout the US, Style is the exclusive UK partner for the Skyfold partitioning system which is ideally suited to the exacting demands of such facilities.

Flexibility in the designs is becoming increasingly important, as Mr Sargent continues "Opportunities to deliver flexible space within operating theatres are now being incorporated into cutting-edge hospital designs. As medical advances allow for evermore complex procedures the traditional operating theatre can become overcrowded. Skyfold units allow smaller theatres to be opened up to create a single area when a larger medical team is required.” With electronic, pressurised rubber seals a Skyfold partition can assist in creating a sterile environment and allows areas to be separated to minimise the potential for contagion between patients. Partitioning within healthcare facilities can also improve patient comfort and consequently well-being, delivering sometimes much-needed privacy in otherwise open-plan areas.