We are proud to mark a major milestone in the evolution of healthier healthcare environments: the successful completion of a ground-breaking 18-month research project at Fountains Court, Bedford, a 26-bed acute mental health unit for older adults.
This pioneering project, delivered in collaboration with the East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT), explored the impact of Advanced Environmental Management Systems (AEMS) in a mental health inpatient setting, a world-first in this context.
And the results? A resounding validation of what we’ve long known: air quality matters. Not only for infection control, but for the overall wellbeing, safety, recovery of patients, and the working environment of NHS staff.
A Research-Driven Partnership
The initiative at Fountains Court builds on a legacy of rigorous, real-world science that has defined our work from the very beginning. While our commercial launch is recent, our journey began over five years ago with the AAirDS study—the UK’s first investigation into air decontamination in hospital wards, funded by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and conducted at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge.
That early work, in partnership with Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, set a new benchmark for air quality research in acute medical wards and paved the way for our continued expansion into more complex environments, such as mental health inpatient care.
Why Fountains Court Matters
Mental health settings present unique challenges. Patients often have longer stays, complex sensory needs, and higher clinical vulnerabilities. The Fountains Court study aimed to answer one key question:
Can improved air quality have a measurable impact on both patients and staff in psychiatric environments?
Using Quality Improvement (QI) methods, six ligature-proof air cleaning units were installed with discreet housings throughout the ward. A final three-month phase of the study involved switching off the units to compare baseline air quality with performance during operation.
“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, ELFT.
The project was led by Suzy Mbi Enoh-Arthur, Bedford’s community mental health clinical lead, and involved estates, clinical teams, and people participation throughout. It exemplifies what’s possible when science, compassion and cross-disciplinary collaboration come together.
From Trial to Trust
At the conclusion of the project, we made a simple decision with long-term impact: the six AEMS units used during the study were gifted to Fountains Court, a permanent legacy of the partnership and a continued asset to their care environment.
“The ELFT study may be complete, but the real work starts now,” said our CEO and Founder, Darren Sloof.
“The findings prove that air management isn’t just about infection control, it’s about protecting lives, improving outcomes, and reshaping the way we think about healthcare environments. This isn’t just data; it’s a call to action.”
From First Research to First Results—What Comes Next?
The Fountains Court study is now moving into the next phase. ELFT is preparing its data for peer-reviewed publication, and discussions are already underway across NHS sites to explore wider implementation.
For us, this moment is part of a much larger journey.
- From UKHSA-backed research to commercial rollout
- From published science to clinical impact
- From Addenbrooke’s to multiple active installations
- From early-stage ideas to a movement towards cleaner, safer, smarter care environments
We are only just beginning.
Explore Our Work
If you’re interested in learning more about:
- The science behind AAirDS and our peer-reviewed publications
- Our partnerships across the NHS and public health sector
- Current and upcoming installation projects
- Or how your organisation could join the next phase of innovation
Stay tuned here, in our News & Updates section. Follow us on LinkedIn @AirPurityUK. Or simply contact us at info@airpurityuk.com for any questions
Because clean air is no longer optional. It’s essential.
“Clinically validated. Ethically grounded. Technically unmatched”.
