The Old Bridford Ward at the Glenbourne Unit, a psychiatric inpatient facility in Plymouth will undergo major refurbishment to turn its 15-bed mixed-sex dormitories into 10 en-suite rooms divided into two single sex wards.
Overseeing the project is the site’s landlord, NHS Property Services and Livewell Southwest, the health and social care service provider that run mental health services from the site.
The project, funded by the Department of Health and Social Care, comes as part of wider Government plans to eradicate mixed-sex mental health dormitories. The work will see £3 million being invested into the site.
The refurbished site, which is due to be completed in spring 2022 will provide single sex, more private accommodation to patients experiencing mental health crises and enable them to recover in a more dignified and appropriate environment.
Geoff Baines, Director of Safety and Quality at Livewell Southwest said: “This will really enhance patient care by improving privacy and dignity for the people we care for and is a fantastic investment for our mental health services.
“We’ll be upgrading the Old Bridford Ward on our Glenbourne Unit by removing the current dormitory style fittings and creating two additional single sex wards. Enhancing the ard environment helps improve patient outcomes; everyone deserves to be as comfortable as possible while receiving care away from home.”
James Wakeham, Principal Construction Manager (South West England) at NHS Property services said: “Providing privacy, dignity and a more modern environment for patients is vital to aiding their recovery and respecting their wellbeing. The conversion of this 15 bed mixed sex dormitory unit into 10 single en suite rooms will enormously benefit our hard working colleagues too.
“We are delighted to be part of this project to create a new and improved facility for mental healthcare at the Glenbourne Unit and to deliver on the Secretary of State for Health’s ambition to eradicate mixed-sex dormitories in mental health units across England.”
