New ward opens at £12million redevelopment of a regional NHS unit
The second phase of a multi-million pound redevelopment has been completed by South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust with the opening of the Johnson Ward. The ward has opened at Newton Lodge (The Yorkshire Centre for Forensic Psychiatry), a 100 bed medium secure mental health unit based at Fieldhead, Ouchthorpe Lane in Wakefield.
The new 15-bed Johnson Ward is part of the £12million redevelopment of Newton Lodge which was originally built in 1984. It is a medium secure unit for people who require NHS mental health care in a secure environment. It provides specialist care for people not only from the Trust’s areas of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield but also from across the wider Yorkshire and the Humber region.
The first phase of the redevelopment scheme was completed in 2012 when a £4.8m activity centre opened new bedrooms. The whole project is on target for completion in August 2013.
The newly opened Johnson Ward is purpose built and designed for use as a 10 bed acute female ward and 5 bed rehabilitation ward. This is an additional ward for the unit but is currently being used temporarily by existing patients whilst their wards are redeveloped and extended.
In the summer it means that the Johnson Ward will allow the Trust to increase the number of beds by ten, for Yorkshire women who currently require medium secure NHS care but have to receive it out of the local area. It means women will be able to receive care locally, closer to their communities, their family and friends.
Alongside the new 15 en-suite bedrooms in the Johnson Ward there are also lounge and dining areas and two new therapy rooms and activity kitchens allowing therapeutic sessions to be held within the ward environment. This greatly improves the facilities available to clinical teams to help keep people active and engaged in their treatment plans.
Dr Adrian Berry, director of forensic services, commented, “The redevelopment marks a significant investment for Wakefield, the local region and quality of care for local people. People who use the service gave their feedback on the general layout and design of the unit – including the layout of bedrooms – and they have also been involved with choosing paint colours, flooring and soft fabrics for the Johnson Ward.
“We have also been able to take on board comments and advice offered by carers and families and we are very grateful for their input. The redevelopment gives us a first class 21st century facility ideal for modern health care.”
Bernard Fee, Trust non-executive director, said, “The new Johnson Ward is very impressive and has helped create a modern therapeutic environment that respects people’s privacy and dignity, in line with the rest of the development.
“Because staff were actively involved in planning all phases of the redevelopment it has ensured that the new areas are not only suitable and safe but also offer great flexibility for a variety of therapeutic activity and clinical treatment. The Trust has also listened to comments and advice offered by carers and family in regards to visiting facilities which we hope will enhance the time they spend with their loved ones.
On final completion of the scheme later in 2013 we shall have an outstanding building that supports the delivery of quality care which continues to be the focus of all our dedicated staff within the service.”
The Trust is funding the redevelopment with its own capital finances and is not tied into any private company for maintenance of the unit once completed. Interserve Construction Limited are managing and co-ordinating all contractors as well as keeping the scheme on time and to budget.