Philip Ross launched Safehinge Primera in 2007 to commercialise a door hinge that designed out the problem of kids trapping their fingers, right after graduating Product Design Engineering at Glasgow School of Art. Five years later, and after a friend was detained under the Mental Health Act, Philip recognised how negatively the building impacted them during their crisis and elongated their recovery and decided to refocus their design efforts to create better products for mental health hospitals. The company helps to reduce the risk of suicide and self-harm, whilst aiming to increase service user automony in inpatient facilities around the world with their range of doors and technology solutions – keeping patients and staff safe, whilst supporting therapeutic spaces.
Philip is also the Chair of the Design in Mental Health Network (DIMHN) – a UK charity that is focused on improving the quality of mental health environments. DIMHN brings together a diverse group of those involved in the design, construction and use of mental health spaces, sharing best practice design guidance and championing co-production with all stakeholders, especially people with Lived Experience.
