Dulux Trade received a prestigious national award for its pioneering work in the healthcare sector. The ProCure 22 awards, which recognise those approved suppliers in the NHS procurement framework providing best in class service, awarded Dulux Trade its Collaborative Working award. Announced at the IHEEM conference and exhibition in Manchester, the award recognises the work of Dulux Trade in developing its Colour & Design principles for use in healthcare environments. The collaboration between Dulux Trade and Tarkett (flooring) was commended for driving innovation through collaboration. “The Colour & Design principles demonstrate the transformational power of colour and are friendly even to the most vulnerable users,” said Paul Fleming, marketing manager contractor/specifier for Dulux Trade. “By pulling key learnings together into a framework based on the key NHS requirements, the benefits of good design supported by research means designers and colour consultants can make well informed and reinforced decisions. When their decisions are combined with product and life-cycle considerations, for the first time, the proposition offers tangible support for an NHS under pressure, by helping improve quality while cutting costs,” he continued. The Dulux Trade Colour & Design principles have been endorsed by the Department of Health and supported by 16 colour schemes, as they demonstrate the benefits of good design, supported by research to allow designers and colour consultants to make informed decisions. “The Healthcare Colour & Design principles for P22 was launched at the Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management Conference in October 2017 and this generated advocacy from P22’s Preferred Supply Chain Partners, and the Department of Health, who endorsed our thought leadership credentials, underlining our expertise in harnessing additional value for their budgets, increasing hospital operational effectiveness and expediting development of hospitals in the UK,” explained Paul. The project was hailed by Rosemary Jensson of Architects for Health as ‘a really powerful piece of work’.