New mental health hospital in Moseley is given go-ahead

Feb 12 2009 by Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail

A FINAL business case for a new £17.7 million mental health hospital in Birmingham has received the go-ahead with work set to get under way later this year to bring services up to 21st Century standards.

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust has approved the scheme to create a new 54-bed Moseley Hall Hospital, in Alcester Road.

It is set to offer specialist services for patients, their carers and relatives.

Glynis Markham, the Trust’s director of strategic delivery for older people services, said: “This will be a unique development because it will provide a specialist centre which brings a ‘one stop shop’ to manage physical and mental health issues together on the same site.

“These facilities will be housed in new modern buildings, incorporating latest best design features such as en suite single rooms, visitors’ facilities and a therapy suite, in a tranquil setting.

“Staff will also benefit from new training and seminar facilities at the site, enabling them to keep their skills updated.”

The Trust’s new hospital will sit alongside existing geriatric wards provided on the site by South Birmingham Primary Care Trust.

Building work will start later this year with the first patients to receive treatment from December next year and the hospital completed by July 2011.

Sue Turner, Trust chief executive, said: “This facility will take provision of older people’s mental health services into the 21st century, offering the best possible care to patients and support to their carers and families.

“Approval from our board for this new facility further demonstrates commitment to developing services which are responsive to the needs of our patients, their families and carers.

“It’s great news that the Moseley Hall Hospital project is now a significant step closer to construction.”

The project is being funded by a loan awarded under the ProCure 21 scheme, which is backed by the Treasury.