Work progresses on new intensive care unit for mental health patients

A new highly specialist mental health unit at Tameside Hospital is on track to open next year.

The new £4.8 million psychiatric intensive care unit will be run by local mental health and learning disability provider Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust. 

It's due to open in April 2022 and will replace the Trust’s current psychiatric intensive care unit in Stockport, providing short-term care for men over the age of 18 experiencing mental health distress. 

To make way for the new development, an old ward at the Darnton Road entrance was demolished earlier this year, which itself created around 560 tonnes of rubble, equivalent to the weight of 350 cars. 

Progress to date includes extensive groundwork, installing drains and roadways and erecting the steel structures that will support the building.

Clare Parker, executive director of nursing at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re really excited about the new unit, which will allow us to provide the very best care for our patients.

“We have put patients and staff at the heart of the design process to ensure the new unit is comfortable, modern and will effectively support recovery.

“Therapy is a really important part of the care we provide, so the new 12 bedroomed unit will boast a brand new gym, therapy kitchen, garden and lots of space for activities such as art and craft sessions, tai chi, indoor sports and exercise classes.

High Peak's Conservative MP Robert Largan paid a visit to the site earlier this week and has praised the progress that has been made so far. 

“It is great to see the progress being made on the new psychiatric intensive care unit at Tameside Hospital," he said. 

“This new facility will drastically improve access to treatment for mental health patients in the High Peak and the wider region, so it’s fantastic to see the progress being made on construction.

“Along with the planned new Urgent Care Centre, this investment at Tameside Hospital is great news for our local NHS and for local people.”

Once the new unit in Tameside is complete, the current psychiatric intensive care unit in Stockport will be refurbished to create a unit specifically for women. It's something that Pennine Care doesn’t currently provide and will allow women to receive specialist psychiatric care closer to their homes and loved ones.