Month: October 2021

Both patient safety and infection control share equal importance when considering doors within high hygiene areas in healthcare projects, probably more so now than ever before. Which is why Dortek continue to develop our Healthcare door product range with these key factors in mind.

So, what do we mean by healthcare doors?

These are hospital doors which can include ICU doors, Isolation Room doors, X-Ray Theatre doors and Operating Theatre doors. Doors are used throughout a hospital by staff, patients and visitors, meaning they offer a much greater risk of spreading viruses and HAIs (hospital acquired infections) if incorrectly specified. We have a range of healthcare doors including hinged and sliding, fire rated and non-fire rated, timber-free and glass, standard and hermetic, all designed to minimise the spread of germs and HAIs. We can even offer antimicrobial ironmongery on our doors – after all, it is the handles and push plates that are often touched the most, so it could be argued that these present the greatest risk.

Our timber-free GRP doors are ideally suited to the tough cleaning regimes within healthcare facilities. They are:

• Resistant to water, chemicals, and fumigation agents
• Guaranteed not to swell, rot or warp
• Non-porous
• Easy to clean and keep clean, with a smooth non-textured surface finish
• Available in a wide range of standard and RAL colours

Don’t just take our word for it, check out some of our completed healthcare projects here, where you can also chat with our healthcare door expert Paul Coley. Alternatively, if you would like some more information or would like to request a quote, you can do so here, by filling out an enquiry form.

Please tell us a bit about yourself!
My name is Paul Normington. I live in Plympton, Devon and moved from Hull to the West Country 19 years ago in 2002. I have worked for Dortek for 15yrs and my role is Regional Project Manager for the South West of England and South Wales

What first inspired you into the engineering and architectural industry?
I had been in customer facing sales roles in the motor industry since leaving school and ended up in Devon supplying alloys wheel and performance tuning parts for Mercedes and BMW. I have always enjoyed the interaction with people and helping architects / end users to overcome technical challenges

What made you want to work for Dortek?
I was living in Devon looking for a change of role, so when the opportunity arose to work for a company in my home town without having to move house again was a bonus. I had a very early Sunday morning interview with Alan in Beverley after a heavy night out. Don’t remember a lot about it but I must have done something right ? I love driving, so the regional sales role gave me the opportunity to be back out on the road again and meeting new clients in a variety of sectors

How has COVID affected your role within Dortek?
At the moment it has meant I don’t get out to site meetings as much as I used to and most of my meetings are on TEAMS. That is gradually starting to get back to normal and I believe it is very important to meet the clients / architects face to face to build the relationships which have been beneficial for me in the past 15 years

What do you like about working with Dortek?
It helps when the product I sell is the market leader. The variation in projects from a single door in a chicken factory to multi million pound high spec pharmaceutical project means every day is different, interesting and challenging. Also the internal staff who I speak to everyday have become friends rather than work colleagues, which definitely makes a difference when you work remotely from the head office. The technical back up and experience available from all departments is also a massive benefit and a credit to Dortek and I couldn’t do my job without the people behind the scenes

What are their interests outside work?
Since the first lockdown I have taken up walking and I am very lucky to live next to Dartmoor National Park within walking distance. I have done several 26 mile walks to Tavistock and will try and continue to get out as often as I can. I have an 8 month old puppy called Nellie who keeps me active.  I also enjoy watching football, especially Manchester Utd, Hull City and the Green Army Plymouth Argyle, motor racing, reading, the beach and of course outdoor wood fired Pizza / BBQ with a few ciders or 6.