£15million redevelopment of regional NHS unit
The fifteen million pound redevelopment of a regional medium secure unit has been completed by South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Newton Lodge (The Yorkshire Centre for Forensic Psychiatry) is a 100 bed medium secure mental health unit based at Fieldhead, Ouchthorpe Lane in Wakefield. It provides care and treatment for people from across the Yorkshire and Humber region; people who require NHS mental health care in a secure environment.
The three year project has included demolishing and rebuilding, as well as refurbishment of existing buildings that were originally opened in 1984. This has included the new build and refurbishment of four wards – providing modern and purpose built accommodation, including en-suite facilities and vastly improved communal and therapy areas.
The development of a £4.8m activity centre was a key part of the scheme and features a full size sports hall, gym, art room, workshops and a music room.
A primary healthcare suite is also included which boasts treatment and consulting rooms as well as a dental suite. This means people in Newton Lodge can get exactly the same standard of NHS care as the rest of the country, but within a medium secure environment.
Dr Adrian Berry, Trust medical director, said, “We have invested heavily to develop, improve and extend our facilities. This has been a huge project involving work on almost all original parts of the unit that were first built in 1984 and now brought right up to date.
“Newton Lodge is now unrecognisable compared to how it was three years ago.
“We’re created environments that support an individual’s recovery and we’ve also changed the way we work to promote this recovery focus. As a result, we’ve seen a reduction in the length of stay, particularly amongst people who, in the past, would have stayed here for quite a long time.
We now have a truly 21st century facility ideal for modern mental health care.”
Steven Michael, chief executive, added, “The redevelopment marks a significant investment for the Yorkshire and Humber region and the quality of care for local people
The facilities are first class; a modern therapeutic environment that respects people’s privacy and dignity whilst promoting recovery. Our sports hall and activity centre is particularly impressive – it helps people get off the wards and be active. This is not only good for their physical health but also their mental health.
We now have an outstanding building supporting the highest quality care which continues to be the focus of all our dedicated staff within this service.”
The Trust funded the redevelopment with its own capital finances and is not tied into any private company for maintenance. Interserve Construction Limited were construction partners on the scheme which was delivered on time and to budget.
To view footage from inside the unit and pictures of the new service please click here.