THE DEPARTMENT of Health has awarded almost £1million to boost mental health facilities for people in Lincolnshire.

A total of £900,000 has been awarded to Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to enable it to provide single-sex accommodation at its mental health rehabilitation units in the county.
 
In line with Government guidelines for providing patients with privacy and dignity, the Trust is using the money to carry out building works at Ashley House in Grantham and Maple Lodge in Boston to provide men-only and women-only wings, with separated communal areas and private, en-suite bedrooms. The alterations are due to be completed by August next year.

The Trust’s Complex Case Manager Roni Swift said: “This significant injection of cash will allow the Trust to develop single-sex accommodation and improve the level of care that we offer to our service users.

“Many people feel uncomfortable on mixed sex wards and this money will go a long way toward ensuring that we are able to treat people in an environment where they are as relaxed and at ease as possible.”

The moves will also eventually mean that some women who have to go out of the county currently, will be able to return for treatment.

Roni added: “These alterations will allow us to treat Lincolnshire residents who previously had to go out of county for treatment closer to their homes and families.”

The grant will also potentially fund the development of a female-only challenging behaviour unit in Lincoln and is part of a wider plan to modernise rehabilitation services in Lincolnshire, which are for people who have long term and often complex mental illnesses.
 
A public open day is taking place tomorrow (Thursday 22 November) to look at future developments of rehabilitation services for people across the county, including the proposed development of a new, purpose-built unit.

The event will run from 3pm to 8pm at Yarborough Court (at the back of the former St George’s Hospital site), off Long Leys Road in Lincoln.