Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT (GMMH) have received Full Business Case (FBC) approval from the trust board and Manchester Health & Care Commissioning, for a development to deliver a new adult mental health unit. It intends to support Manchester patients at North Manchester General Hospital (NMGH) and will replace current dormitory type accommodation with limited outdoor space.
The development forms part of a project for NMGH, aimed at improving health and well-being for people in the local area over the next 10 to 15 years.
The adult mental health unit is predicted to cost £105.9m. GMMH are expecting to receive £91.3m government funding, with the remaining £14.6m funded by the trust.
The FBC will now be formally submitted to NHS England/Improvement who will review the FBC for a final investment decision, which will allow construction to commence.
Neil Thwaite, Chief Executive of GMMH, said: “We passionately believe this investment will greatly improve the quality of specialist inpatient mental health care and will enable us to build a therapeutic, modern environment for patients and workplace for staff.
“It is excellent news for people needing in-patient mental health services in Manchester and forms part of exciting regeneration plans being developed for the North Manchester hospital site.”
The development will include the replacement of the current Park House inpatient mental health unit at NMGH, which will be completely rebuilt on the hospital site, but in an alternative location. It will mean that the unit can be completely constructed without disturbing current patients, with the day-to-day operation of services still being able to continue.
The new purpose-built unit would see the existing Park House services, move into a high quality, modern and spacious facility. This would also result in more efficient specialist inpatient care being provided within a safe and friendly environment for staff, patients, carers, and visitors.
The current plans include:
- 150 single en-suite bedrooms to be provided over nine single sex wards, including a purpose built Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), seven adult acute wards for female and male adults, and one older adults’ ward.
- An assessment suite (specifically for people needing a place of safety and assessment under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act).
- A variety of internal activity areas and multiple outside garden spaces specifically designed to enhance the environment and aid recovery.
During the development of the FBC GMMH discussed their plans with key stakeholders, as well gaining support from the wider health and care system, including commissioners. GMMH will continue to engage with the community to hear feedback, test thinking, and develop the design proposals further.
The local planning authority and Manchester City Council gave full planning approval in January 2021.
The construction on the new building site is expected to start in 2022, with the new facility anticipated to be built and operational by 2024.
