Design award for new PHC project

A NATIONAL award has recognised the impact of involving mental health service users to help design the two new wards at Lincoln’s Peter Hodgkinson Centre.

Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) won the Best Service User Engagement Award at the Design in Mental Health Awards in June. It was also shortlisted as one of the top three projects in the UK for the Project of the Year – New Build. Judges found the Castle and Ellis wards underlined the Trust’s ‘commitment to eradicating outdated shared dormitories from its sites’.

Throughout the development LPFT engaged with experts by experience, service users, staff and carers alongside key stakeholders from the wider health and care system, to ensure all plans were thoroughly informed by and co-created with the communities it will serve.

Sarah Cox, LPFT’s participation coordinator, who runs the Building Together focus group is pictured (centre) receiving the award at the Design in Mental Health conference: “I am extremely proud of the dedication, passion and commitment the Building Together Focus Group (BTFG) has given as part of this project.

“We set up the BTFG in February 2021 to work alongside the Project Team to offer feedback, comments and views on the design and build of our new wards.

“The group has been involved in decisions regarding the furnishings, decoration, signage and technology and has felt included and valued throughout the build project. We are absolutely delighted that the achievements of the group have been recognised at the National Design in Mental Health Awards.”

Mark Platts, LPFT’s Director of Finance and Information, added: “I am so proud of the team and everyone involved in the project. By working with service users and experts by experience, we’ve created an environment which is relevant, therapeutic and fit for the future. It is a real accolade to be highlighted as one of the best mental health projects in the UK.”