Temporary buildings lifted into place at Hereford hospital

Work has started at Hereford's Stonebow unit, run by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, as outdated mental health dorms are set to be replaced by single en-suite rooms.

It comes as part of a Government pledge to improve the safety, privacy and dignity of patients with mental illness.

The changes at the Stonebow unit should improve the overall care for inpatients, the Department of Health and Social Care said.

On Saturday and Sunday, several Portakabin buildings were lifted into place at the site. They will be used for accomodation while work starts inside the unit, Mike Taylor from the trust said.

Two of the temporary buildings being lifted into place on Saturday. Picture: Mike Taylor

To mark World Mental Health Day in October 2020, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the trust would be among the first to benefit from the funding.

The trust was told it would get £26 million for the work, which will take between two and three years to complete.

Chief executive Sarah Dugan said at the time: "While the majority of our units provide modern, private facilities, improving the accommodation at Holt Ward, Athelon Ward and the Stonebow Unit has been a priority.

"Replacing the dormitories for private rooms will improve the individual care that can be given to patients, reducing the length of their stay in the facility and supporting their right to privacy and dignity while they are with us.

"It will also have benefits for patient safety, for example through better infection control and by reducing the risk of incidents involving patients or staff."

Some groundwork had taken place in readiness for the buildings arriving by lorry on Saturday. Picture: Mike Taylor

The buildings are in the car park outside the Stonebow unit. Picture: Mike Taylor

Matt Hancock said more than £400 million will be committed across the country over the next four years to eradicate dormitory accommodation from mental health facilities.

He added: "Mental health staff have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to keep mental health services open 24/7 so that those most in need can continue to get vital support.

"I am reiterating our commitment to those patients by stepping up our effort to improve our country's mental health infrastructure.

"By eradicating outdated and unsuitable dormitories across England we can ensure those suffering with mental illness are given the safety, privacy and dignity they deserve.

"Not only will the new single rooms improve the individual care we can offer patients, they will provide a better environment for our hardworking staff too."