Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, which provides mental health and learning disability services for the county, will be hosting an exclusive visit for Graham Allen MP to look round the new adult mental health facilities at Highbury Hospital on 18 July 2008.
Graham Allen’s Nottingham North constituency covers the Bulwell area of Nottingham where Highbury Hospital is situated. During the visit he will be welcomed by Professor Clair Chilvers, Trust Chair and Simon Smith, Executive Director of Local Services as well as meeting many more staff members involved with the hospital.
The visit will include an overview presentation explaining the development of the site to date and how the project will progress, followed by a tour of the Maples therapy area where patients participate in occupational therapies such as music, cooking and pottery and a visit to one of the clinical ward areas. There will also be the opportunity to experience the Enhancing the Healing Environment King’s Fund Project based on Silver Birch older people’s ward, at Highbury. This was a scheme funded by the Department of Health in 2005 to encourage nurse led teams to work in partnership to improve the environment in which they deliver care.
Last month Stephen Hay, Chief Operating Officer from Monitor (Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts) formally opened Phase Two of the four year redevelopment project, at Highbury Hospital. Phase Two includes one male and one female new adult mental health wards each having 16 bedrooms with ensuite facilities, a new Mental Health Intensive Care Unit where patients can be assessed and treated in a safe and secure environment and the new Maples therapy area offering a wide range of activities for patients.
Phase One of the project, created a new older people’s ward which began in 2004 and work is due to commence on the third and final phase shortly, which will see the full refurbishment of some existing wards and the demolition of one of the old main buildings to be followed by the creation of further new facilities.
Professor Clair Chilvers, Trust Chair said: “We are delighted to welcome Graham Allen MP to Highbury Hospital, where we provide a level of care for our patients to be proud of and we hope he is also impressed with the services we offer to his constituents. These modern and fit for purpose facilities really help our teams to deliver very high standards of care to people who use our services, setting a benchmark of good practice. “
