New technology offers greater choice for people receiving inpatient mental health care
Date added: 29 October 2026
Last updated: 29 October 2026
People receiving specialist hospital care for severe mental illness in Kent and Medway are being given greater choice during their stay, thanks to new interactive technology offering access to music, videos, games, drawing and other activities.
CoWin Halo, an interactive touchscreen designed for mental health settings, has been introduced in the seclusion suites of a specialist forensic mental health ward and the seclusion suite of the trust’s new female psychiatric intensive care unit at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust.
For someone in seclusion, listening to familiar music, watching a video or drawing can provide something positive to focus on during a difficult period. It also means people can access meaningful activities at times when they are unable to use other parts of the ward.
Clare Hardwick, Head of Allied Professionals for Forensic and Specialist Directorate at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, said: “People receiving specialist hospital care should be treated with dignity and compassion, and their individual needs and preferences should be taken into account.
“CoWin Halo gives our care teams another way to offer activities that matter to each person. It supports the care we provide, while personal care and human connection remain at the heart of what we do.”
Designed for mental health and secure care settings, the touchscreen has safety features intended for these environments. The available content can be managed to suit the setting and the person using it.
Abbie Crysell, Lead Occupational Therapist at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, said: “People have different interests and different ways of finding comfort when things are difficult. One person might enjoy listening to music they know, while another might prefer drawing or watching a video.
Having a range of activities gives people more opportunities to choose what works for them. It is about recognising each person as an individual and offering support in ways that suit them.”
The technology complements the care and support provided by staff, giving patients more choice through activities tailored to their interests and helping make their experience of hospital care more personal and responsive to their needs.
Buba Cooper, General Manager at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, said: “We are very grateful to have this technology available in our units. We believe it will enhance patient experience by offering greater choice and access to meaningful activities, particularly at times when people may be experiencing significant distress.
“It is another way we can create a more supportive environment while ensuring each person’s individual needs remain at the centre of their care.”
The installation of the technology is part of the trust’s wider commitment to improving people’s experience of inpatient mental health care in Kent and Medway.
