Worcester mental health ward Holt Ward reopens after multi-million pound refurb

Holt Ward, which cares for working-aged adults experiencing acute mental illness, has welcomed its first patients following a 12-month project to replace mixed-sex dormitories with private, ensuite bedrooms.   

The opening marks the completion of the first phase of the Eliminating Dormitories project, a national scheme to eradicate outdated dormitory-style accommodation from mental health facilities across the country.

The project, which is worth £26 million locally, will also see work to improve Athelon Ward, which is for people aged 65 and over with mental health needs and like Holt Ward is based at the Elgar Unit in Worcester.

One of the new rooms at Holt Ward before being fully furnished (Image: Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust)

Hereford’s Stonebow Unit, which comprises the Jenny Lind, Cantilupe and Mortimer wards, will also benefit.

The work is being carried out by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, the main provider of mental health services across both counties.

Holt Ward now has communal spaces and private bedrooms

The trust’s medical director Dr John Devapriam said: “We’re delighted to welcome patients onto the new Holt Ward.

“The updated facilities have improved the therapeutic environment for our patients, enabling personalised care and supporting their right to privacy and dignity while they are with us.”

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Naomi Morgan is the trust’s acute operational lead for adult mental health inpatient, specialist mental health and learning disability services.

She said: “This is a really exciting milestone in the Eliminating Dormitories project. The new ward boasts modern communal spaces, alongside the newly created private, ensuite bedrooms.

“Together with the specialist care of our teams, this will support our patients to reach their recovery goals quicker - in turn reducing their length of stay in hospital.”

Patients now have individual rooms instead of mixed-use dormitories (Image: Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust)

Patients were relocated into facilities earlier this month, having been cared for by the team on an adjacent ward while the work was undertaken.

Contractors have now commenced the next phase of work, focusing on the redevelopment of nearby Athelon Ward while the work in Herefordshire runs concurrently.

A report put before Worcestershire County Council earlier this year showed a shortage of at least 100 mental health nurses in the county.

Sarah Dugan, chief executive of the health and care trust, told councillors the gaps were being filled by temporary and agency staff.