Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

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Residents get new mental health Foundation Trust

A new mental health NHS Foundation Trust has been created in the east region – Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

The newly granted specialist status, from 1 February 2008, brings with it local accountability and flexibility to tailor services effectively for people’s needs.

Chair Maggie Wheeler, said: “As an NHS Foundation Trust, we will now be able to do more things that will really make a difference – both to how we work and to those who use our services.

“We will also now be able to involve many more local people in shaping our health and social care services and understanding mental health. Through this we should also see changes in the way our communities support people, this is where our approach to the whole of people’s lives is so important.”

Pat Holman, chief executive of the new Trust added: “We will also be able to make better use of the resource and talent available to us. We now have greater freedom to use our money wisely and more opportunities to invest in the services that are needed.

“Most importantly we can make and act on major decisions much more quickly. Things have certainly changed for the better.”

Local people are encouraged to join as members and have a say in how the Trust operates through elected governors. Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust currently has over 5,500 members but aims to increase this figure to 9,000.

To find out more about becoming a member of the new NHS Foundation Trust telephone: 01603 421494. Website: www.nwmhft.nhs.uk.

Building work starts on self–contained care facility

Building work has begun on a new joint psychiatric intensive care unit [PICU] and low–secure unit at Hellesdon Hospital in Norwich for people in Norfolk and Waveney experiencing serious episodes of mental illness.

The facility will provide two self–contained units with 10 PICU beds and 12 low–secure beds, all with single rooms and en–suites as well as a therapy room, gym and an enclosed garden area outside.

Currently, people who need PICU placements receive their treatment outside Norfolk, but the new building means they will be able to receive care locally.

The new unit will work alongside Hellesdon Hospital’s Yare Ward low–secure unit as an NHS–provided, dedicated low–secure service for Norfolk and Waveney, which opened in January 2007 and will bring the total number of beds for this treatment to 31.

Maggie Wheeler, chair of the Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, dug out the first turf to mark the start of building work which is being carried out by Barnes Construction.

Former service users were involved in the project team to develop designs for the £9.4 million project, which is funded by Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, and will be completed in February 2009.

Infolink: Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Hellesdon Hospital, Drayton High Road, Norwich NR6 5BE. Tel: 01603 421421. Website: www.nwmhft.nhs.uk.

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