A new £2.4 million specialist mental health unit has opened in Plymouth. Men recovering from complex psychosis are now being supported at The Cove on the Mount Gould Hospital site.
The team provide recovery and rehabilitation for service users who transition from acute and low secure services and prepare them to live in the community. This is achieved through individualised and intensive therapeutic interventions.
The previous facility – Syrena House in Plymstock – had nine bedrooms. The new ward can accommodate fifteen people. Nine bedrooms are for service users needing longer term recovery work and six are what are known as ‘step down’ beds. These provide an intermediate level of care for patients who are ready to leave a hospital’s main ward but still require ongoing support before returning to their own home. The team help with activities of daily living, medical and psychological support, and social or practical needs to promote recovery and independence.
The addition of six ‘step down’ beds locally will improve patient flow and contribute to a reduction in out of area male acute bed days. It is expected that within a 12-month period, male out of area acute placements will reduce by around 75% (compared to 2024/25).
Patients, carers and staff have all been involved in the redesign of the new unit. They have visited the site regularly throughout the build. It includes a group therapy room, sensory room, patient lounge, quiet room, therapy kitchen, and an enclosed garden.
Lucie’s son Sam is being supported at The Cove. She represents the voice of carers as part of the NHS ‘Culture of Care Programme’. The initiative aims to improve care within inpatient mental health, learning disability, and autism wards across England. A core principle is patients and their families being involved in the design, delivery, and governance of health services.
Carer Lucie
She said: “It is lovely and spacious, and so nice to have the extra space, like the games room and the multi-faith room. The patient rooms are also a really good size. It is a calm environment with beautiful views which will be so beneficial for people like Sam who really benefits from quiet areas.”
Former patient Simon
Simon was a patient at the former unit Syrena House in Plymstock. He reacted: “From a head space point of view, it is so much better with space to sit and chill outside. It is superb, particularly the therapeutic rooms which patients didn’t really have before.”
The project was funded by NHS England to redevelop the former Wembury ward at Mount Gould Hospital. This building was vacated in August 2025 when stroke rehabilitation services were relocated to Kingfisher ward. This is part of a wider redevelopment between Livewell Southwest and University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust to meet the growing demand for rehabilitation and mental health services in the region.
Sandra Pinch is the Modern Matron for Recovery Services. She said: “The six ‘step down’ beds we have will help with the pressures that are being felt in the acute services. Somebody may be waiting on a package of care to be finalised. They may be waiting for a bed in supported accommodation. They don’t need an acute bed for those last few weeks, but we will be supporting them in that final period to be able to move them into the community.”
Modern Matron Sandra Pinch
“The environment that people in recovery are cared for is really important. Patients love to cook and they love to engage in group activities. It is about doing the things that we take for granted when we are at home. It is about building people’s confidence to prepare people to move on and leave hospital.”
Ward Manager Nikki Huck and Deputy Chief Executive Geoff Baines officially opened the ward in July 2026
Deputy Chief Executive Geoff Baines said: “The Cove provides a greater opportunity to prevent people going out of area. To have this facility locally is a game changer. Not only is it reassuring for people and families but it also helps with people to be able to get back home and get well quicker.”
Ward Manager Nikki Huck said: “The new ward is conducive to recovery. Just being here, you can feel how calm it is. It is sensory pleasing for people that get really overwhelmed with life. We have got several different therapy space rooms that will just allow somebody to just detach and keep safe and just be present.”
Livewell Southwest Non-Executive Director Annette Benney and Project Manager Di Brimacombe at the ward opening ceremony
Plymouth firm Obedair carried out the works on the 1,000 square metre unit. The construction company also funded works in the garden which included a mural by the Spray Saint.
Spray Saint at work
Finished mural
