Kent NHS Trust opens new psychiatric intensive care unit for women
A dedicated psychiatric intensive care unit for women is set to open at Littlestone Lodge in Dartford later this month following a major investment.
New facility arrives in November
Operations will commence for the initial NHS intensive care unit dedicated to women facing serious mental health challenges within Kent and Medway. The ten-bed facility at Littlestone Lodge is due to welcome its initial patient towards the end of November. This project follows a £4.63m investment by the Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust to create the service. Until now, women requiring intensive care could not receive this specialist support from the local team.
Design supports diverse needs
Each year, the unit should deliver approximately 2,500 bed days of care for women throughout the region. Additionally, two of the ten beds are open to women referred from other NHS trusts based on their individual needs. Individuals drawing on their own encounters with mental health services contributed to designing the unit's layout and structure. This facility addresses sensory requirements, such as those for women who have autism or learning disabilities.
Leaders welcome the change
Dr Afifa Qazi, chief medical officer for the trust, stated the opening was an important step forward for patient care. This fresh offering enables personnel to deliver expert compassionate support during an especially challenging period for a woman. Jim Dickson, MP for Dartford, expressed pleasure that this new unit opens in Dartford for local families. The Willow Suite close by currently offers intensive mental health treatment to men through the existing trust.
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