Planning consent granted for new North Manchester mental health unit
Plans to build a new adult mental health unit on the North Manchester General Hospital site took a significant step forward as planning consent was obtained for the proposed development.
GMMH's planned replacement of Park House at North Manchester General Hospital in Crumpsall was granted full planning permission on Thursday 28 January by the local planning authority, Manchester City Council.
Park House is an inpatient unit providing assessment and treatment for adults and older people with mental health needs, such as depression, schizophrenia, psychosis and dementia. Patients are currently accommodated across male and female wards, in mainly dormitory-style hospital accommodation.
The planning consent obtained allows GMMH to continue with its ambitious plans to construct a new, fit for purpose, mental health inpatient unit.
As part of the development, proposals will significantly improve patient privacy and dignity, providing service users with spacious single bedrooms with private ensuite bathrooms in single-sex wards.
£105m of capital investment is planned to construct modern mental health facilities, which will greatly improve the quality of specialist inpatient care, using the latest technology and therapeutic techniques in an environment that is conducive to holistic treatment and recovery.
The new facility will include a variety of internal activity areas and multiple outside garden spaces, specifically designed to enhance the environment, and aid recovery.
The state-of-the-art mental health inpatient unit will be constructed to the latest environmental standards, and will offer a therapeutic, modern environment for patients and workplace for staff, which will promote the integration of physical and mental wellbeing.
Neil Thwaite, Chief Executive of Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Obtaining planning permission marks a significant milestone for the project. It provides further certainty for the future development, which will improve the quality of care for patients and the working environment for staff. This announcement follows last year’s public engagement that sought opinion on our initial proposals.
“The purpose-built unit will provide a calm and safe environment, where people will receive holistic treatments and be encouraged to meet with carers, family or friends to aid their recovery process should they choose to do so.
“GMMH’s internal project team, supported by planning consultant GL Hearn, principal supply chain partner Integrated Health Projects and our wider design teams have worked closely over the last 12 months to develop proposals that will enhance the current on-site facilities and integrate into the future North Manchester General hospital site regeneration.”
The unit will be completely rebuilt on the hospital site, but in an alternative location to the existing Park House unit. This will allow the new facility to be fully constructed without disturbing current patients and the day-to-day running of services.
Work on the new building is expected to start in 2021 with the new facility anticipated to be built and operational by early 2024.
