The Carte Blanche Making A Difference Trust (MAD Trust) proudly unveiled the completed, state-of-the-art Paediatric Emergency Unit at Sebokeng Hospital at the end of November 2024. 

Working hand in hand with the trust, Polysales (previously known as Polyflor SA) has provided wall protection solutions for the new facility. With over 30 years of experience, the company takes pride in providing hospitals and healthcare facilities with specialised solutions and unwavering support. 

Functional and fun 

It is important for the team at Polysales to create healthcare spaces that are functional and safe but also welcoming and inspiring.  

To that end, the company supported the Sebokeng Paediatric Emergency Unit with practical wall protection products, as well as fun cut-outs of animals, birds and trees for the walls of the unit. 

Waterjet designs of assorted animal, tree and bird shapes were placed on the walls to create a pleasant space for the children, whilst protecting the walls.

Wall protection 

Ensuring the longevity and hygiene of the unit’s walls, Gradus wall protection products were supplied and installed. The Gradus range of wall protection products provides an essential barrier against damage caused by the general flow of wheeled and pedestrian traffic.  

The range’s through-coloured and embossed texture, minimises the appearance of scuffs and scrapes on the products, ensuring the most stringent hygiene standard and maintaining their aesthetic appeal. 

Corner guards 

Corners are some of the most vulnerable areas of a building. Gradus PVC-u corner guards are available in a variety of styles and heights to suit any protection requirement. 

They are ideal for reducing maintenance costs and maintaining interior appearances in healthcare and pharmaceutical environments, through to education, commercial office, retail, hospitality and transport facilities.  

It is specifically relevant to protect corners against pedestrian and wheeled traffic. Damaged corners can harbour dirt and bacteria and are difficult to clean. The installation of corner guards improves hygiene through damage limitation. 

Gradus PVC-u corner guards protect against unsightly damage that harbours dirt and bacteria, and these High Impact Corner Guards were used in high traffic areas, susceptible to much damage.

Handrails 

Handrails are designed to offer pedestrian guidance and support, in addition to a level of surface protection. The Gradus combination rail was supplied for the new unit.  

The combination rail is both a handrail and a wall-guard element in a single profile. This provides protection against impact from wheeled traffic, whilst offering a comfortable grip to give reassuring pedestrian support and guidance. 

Wall guards 

Gradus wall guards, also referred to as bumper bars or crash rails, offer impact protection against wheeled traffic such as trolleys, beds and other mobile equipment for the unit.  

These PVC-u wall guards are available in various styles and sizes and are modular in construction, with aluminium retainers, snap-on PVC-u covers and complementary PVC-u accessories. The replaceable covers are through-coloured and textured to conceal the effects of impact damage and abrasion. 

Gradus wall guards offer impact protection against wheeled traffic such as trolleys, beds and other mobile equipment.

Kick and push plates 

Gradus SureProtect Endure PVC-u sheets were applied to the walls, and as kick and push plates within the unit to protect the walls from everyday bumps and scuffs, reducing maintenance costs significantly. 

SureProtect Endure PVC-u sheets were applied to the doors as kick/ push-plates within the unit, together with corner guards to offer further protection.

An element of fun 

Integrating artwork onto walls in healthcare buildings can help to make the environment more relaxing, as well as offering a welcome distraction from illness, which can in turn aid recovery. 

Cheerful designs were placed on the walls to create this beautiful space for the children, where they can rest and recover. 

The nature-inspired shapes and branding were waterjet cut from Gradus SureProtect Endure PVC-u sheets. These designs made full use of the wide colour range available from Polysales, tying into the colours the company supplied for the flooring. 

Visitors are greeted by a large giraffe placed alongside the name of the unit. Other wall designs include geese, tortoises, a variety of birds, trees, an ostrich with three babies, bucks, zebras and grass placed throughout the facility. 

Polysales was very excited to once again partner with the Carte Blanche Making A Difference Trust on the Sebokeng project, and to make a lasting and tangible difference in communities where it is most needed. 

Polysales continues its support of the Carte Blanche Making A Difference Trust, supplying wall protection products for the new Paediatric Emergency Unit, blending functionality and fun. 

For more information, contact Polyflor SA for expert advice. Sole distributor for Gradus. 

Tel: +27 11 609 3500 (speak to Blythe or Wendy) 

Email: marketing@polysales.com

Website: www.polysales.com