A small event was organised to formally mark the opening of the £8.2 million purpose build facility for patients with mental health needs.
The unit in Hamilton contains two distinct areas which have their own staff cohort. These are:
- A 12 bedded rehabilitation and recovery area
- A 15 bedded low secure care area The Rehabilitation and Recovery area was formerly housed in the nearby Caird House and is part of NHS Lanarkshire’s Rehabilitation and Recovery Service which cares for people with complex mental health needs.
It provides assessment, treatment and rehabilitation in a safe environment to help people maximise their recovery with the aim of returning to live in their own home and community.
It does this by providing a comprehensive multi-disciplinary programme of care tailored to meet the individual patients’ needs.
The low secure care area provides a safe and supportive environment for people whose mental health needs means they need a low level of security at this point in their recovery.
It does this by providing high quality assessment and treatment with the confidence that it is being provided in a modern, fit for purpose low secure facility which will meet the needs of the patients and the wider community.
The environment allows patients to benefit fully from treatment and therapies which are important factors in maximising their recovery.
In Lanarkshire, the same kind of low secure care was previously provided for 15 years at Hartwoodhill Hospital, next to the village of Hartwood.
Performing the official opening, NHS Lanarkshire chairman Ken Corsar, said: "The development of the new Beckford Lodge is part of NHS Lanarkshire’s Mental Health Strategy to modernise services.
"This is the latest in an ambitious programme which has seen the opening of Glencairn in Coathill Hospital, the refurbishment of the neighbouring Caird House as well as significant investment in community mental health services."
Iain MacKenzie, service manager for NHS Lanarkshire’s Forensic Service, said: "Mental health care has changed dramatically in recent years.
"For example, until 1995 Lanarkshire had two large mental health hospitals – Hartwood Hospital and Hartwoodhill Hospital – which at one time had a total of 1,800 beds between them.
"Today we better understand how to care for and treat people with mental health needs and this has led to a shift away from the large institutions of the past to a community facing model."
He continued: "For the vast majority of people with mental health conditions this is best achieved by living in their own home with support and treatment from community-based services.
"However, it’s recognised that a few people will – at some point in their lives – need the additional support which the modern facilities here at Beckford Lodge provide."
Anna Shanks, member of the South Lanarkshire PPF and chair of Community Links, was also in attendance at the event.
She said: "There were a few of us in the local community who did have a few concerns about this facility before it opened.
"However a year on, having had the opportunity to see the facility for myself and learn more about the work it undertakes, I can honestly say it’s a first class facility that’s helping people with mental health problems.
"I think it’s fair to say, the local community now better understands and appreciates the care provided in Beckford Lodge."
For more information on this release, contact communications officer Eddie Docherty on 01698 858 107.