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Work transforming mental health facilities begins

Staff with Galliford Try contractors at Stonebow Unit

A £26 million project is underway across Herefordshire and Worcestershire to enhance the environment for patients on local mental health wards.

Contractors appointed by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust have commenced work to replace the Trusts remaining dormitory-style accommodation, with private, en-suite bedrooms.

The ‘Eliminating Dormitories’ project is part of a wider initiative taking place across the country to improve the safety, privacy and dignity of patients experiencing mental ill health.

It will see the removal of shared sleeping quarters from the Stonebow Unit in Herefordshire and Elgar Unit in Worcestershire, facilities providing inpatient care to adults and older adults experiencing significant mental health difficulties.

The changes are expected to enhance care and improve privacy and dignity for patients, factors that will aid patient recovery, reducing their length of stay in hospital.

The improvements will also have benefits for patient safety, including better infection control and a reduction of incidents involving other patients.

Dr John Devapriam, Medical Director at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust said, “We are committed to providing the best facilities for our patients, to support them to reach their recovery goals. Replacing the existing dormitories in our mental health units for private en-suite bedrooms will improve the therapeutic environment for our patients, enabling personalised care, and supporting their right to privacy and dignityStaff with Speller Metcalfe contractors at Stonebow Unit while they are with us”.

The Trust has appointed two building contractors for the project, with Speller Metcalfe undertaking the work at the Elgar Unit in Worcester and Galliford Try carrying out works in Hereford.

“Providing appropriate health services for patients is absolutely paramount to the NHS being able to continue with their unparalleled level of care and professional service,” said Mark Hudgeon, regional director at Speller Metcalfe. “We are absolutely committed to enabling them to continue in the same vein, knowing that these improvements will have a lasting legacy for both staff and patients who need access to these services.”

Simon Courtney, Managing Director of Galliford Try Building West Midlands and South West, commented: “We are delighted to be getting underway with works at the Stonebow Unit. Galliford Try has a strong track record in providing high-quality buildings to deliver vital mental health services and we look forward to working closely with all the stakeholders to ensure that the service users receive the facilities they deserve.”

The work is planned for completion towards the end of 2023.

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