£24m mental health wards take care to the next level

TWO state-of-the-art mental health wards at the Peter Hodgkinson Centre in Lincoln will ensure patients in crisis have space, dignity and feel part of their recovery process.

Based at Lincoln County Hospital and run by Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT), the two new £24m wards, Castle and Ellis have 38 private ensuite bedrooms, multi-purpose community areas and relaxing outside spaces.

This development is part of an ambitious £37m plan to update facilities across Lincolnshire and provide single ensuite rooms for all patients, removing old and outdated shared dormitory accommodationplanning permission was recently granted for a 19-bed ward in Boston.

The new Lincoln building has been designed in partnership with patients, staff, carers and people who have previously used LPFT’s services –designated experts by experience. These included Liz Hawker of Lincoln, who has previously been in Ward 12 at Boston Pilgrim Hospital .

“My experience wasn’t great and I thought if I could do something to improve things, then I should be involved in the project.”

Watching the development of the PHC site Liz knows her views and those of others have been listened to.

“One of the biggest things was privacy and having your own space as well as feeling you have some control,” said Liz, who is still involved with the Boston development.

“It has been a privilege to be part of this - taking mental health care to the next level. Patients will have their own space and will be treated with respect and dignity. I would love to be a fly on the wall when the patients come in and see it.”

All 38 bedrooms are on ground level, have outside views and are equipped with the latest technology, which enables patients to monitor their treatment.

Sarah Connery, Chief Executive at LPFT, said:

“We are delighted with our new wards. As soon as you enter, the bright and spacious environment is immediately inviting and there are lots of windows which bring natural light onto the ward area.

“The outside areas are fantastic and will really give our patients the space they need to help them on their recovery journey.”Kevin Lockyer, Chair of LPFT, adds: “I am really proud that we have been able to work so closely with current patients, experts by experience, families and carers. They have been deeply involved in everything from construction to room layouts and colour choices to furniture options. These two wards will help us provide the best possible care for people when they need it most.”

Brian Fitzgerald, an expert by experience at the Trust, said: "It's been great to use my own lived experience from using services to help build and shape the project. For me, it helped increase my self esteem as I felt like I was giving back to services which have supported me so well. It has been a real privilege to be involved in creating such a great space.”

In celebration of the opening, a time capsule has been buried full of artwork from current patients and staff, hopefully to be opened by service users in 100 years’ time.