Winchester hospital unveils refurbished inpatient ward

The programme will be held at Leigh House Hospital, in Alresford Road, near Winchester, and was officially launched alongside the opening of the newly refurbished general adolescent inpatient ward.

Karen Dixon, associate director of mental health for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Southern Health, said: “We are delighted to officially open the new facilities and services we are now offering young people and their families. It’s been a huge undertaking developing the new day service and encouraging young people to have treatment where they go home at night, moving away from inpatient care where we can and supporting as many young people in the community as best we can.”

The ribbon was cut by a young person who uses Leigh House Hospital's services (Image: Leigh House Hospital)

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A patient snipped the symbolic ribbon. The hospital took a photo and obscured her identity.

The Trust has also refurbished a 10-bed inpatient ward which will support young people who need a higher level of care including under the Mental Health Act, by adding new ensuite facilities for all 10 beds and enabling each room to have independent temperature settings. 

The ward has been designed to consider the sensory needs of young people, making it as sensory-friendly as possible in terms of colour and layout to accommodate those with neurodiversity.

A family flat is also available on-site for families who live further away.

Those attending the opening were able to tour both the inpatient unit and the day service and meet the staff who were able to discuss and demonstrate the variety of types of therapy, support and education available to those on the day programme and staying on the inpatient ward.

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There is also a team working to ensure that when a young person is ready to be discharged they have continued support in the community.

Sarah Cole, Eating Disorder Day Programme Clinical Lead said: "We are so pleased to be able to offer this level of support to young people with an eating disorder. We have a wide range of specialist support available to the young people and their families ranging from dieticians, nurses, therapists, psychologists, teachers (to enable the young people to continue with their studies during the programme) family therapists, occupational therapists and creative therapy sessions giving them a way to express themselves through drama, story-making, music and art.”

“At the end of each day the young person will be able to go home and spend time with their families. The programme is there not only to support the young person, but also give their family and carers coping skills as part of their ongoing support with their recovery recognising the importance of their role in continued recovery.”