The new rehabilitation unit in Heather Close in Mansfield will be officially opened on Thursday 3 November by Professor Mike Cooke CBE, Chief Executive of Nottinghamshire Healthcare.
The excellent new facility, named Bracken House, provides 18 beds for people who have experienced a complex range of mental health issues, requiring long term support and treatment within a controlled environment. This enables people who previously have had to leave their local area for such care to now access it closer to home.
As well as single room accommodation, improving privacy and dignity for clients, the locked rehabilitation unit includes a visitors’ room, clinic and treatment room, dining and lounge area and a multi faith room. Outdoor space including a horticultural area is also accessible to clients, as well as a range of activities.
The opening event will provide guests with the opportunity to see the new unit, find out more about the care provided, and celebrate and recognise the hard work and dedication of staff, service users, carers and stakeholders involved in its development.
The unit is a full refurbishment and extension of three of the six existing bungalows which currently make up the Heather Close residential facility; this provides care for people recovering from enduring mental health conditions who are not yet ready to return to home.
Jane Lord, Unit Manager, said: “We are delighted that Mike Cooke will be officially opening the new unit, which provides a modern, high quality and welcoming care environment. In the past, the vast majority of placements for clients requiring these services have been outside Nottinghamshire and also within the private sector provision. This fantastic new unit enables service users and carers to be closer to and maintain their links to the communities in which they live.”
The unit has been developed in two phases; the first phase was completed in May 2011 and comprised 12 beds and the latter, completed in October 2011, has provided a further six beds.
