I am delighted that the Abraham Cowley Unit is to be redeveloped to deliver new and improved mental health services for those who need it.
This change will see a brand new hospital built on the site, delivering on the national policy drive to eliminate current dormitory accommodation. This will be replaced by 64 single en suite rooms, providing greater privacy, security and stability for those in need of residential care.
Provision has been made for the redeployment of staff and relocation of services to other premises within the Trust. Following the approval of the plans by Runnymede Council Planning Committee last month Blake and Clare wards have now ceased admissions to ensure people receive continuity of care during their stay.
Anyone of working age requiring a mental health admission will be admitted to either Farnham Road Hospital in Guilford or to an independent provider. This is important to manage the discharge of people who are medically fit for discharge.
Dr Ben Spencer MP said: ‘As a former mental health consultant it can come as no surprise that the provision of quality mental health services is an issue I feel strongly about. I am delighted that the plans for the rebuild of the Abraham Cowley Unit was approved and the rebuild will begin in May.’
The Older Adults ward at the Abraham Cowley Unit remains unaffected by these changes and will continue to operation as normal until the wards move in April to the New Spencer Ward on the St Peter’s Hospital campus.
More information on the New Hospitals Programme can be found here: https://www.sabp.nhs.uk/aboutus/services-and-site-developments/Our-New-Hospitals-Building-for-better-care/Our-hospitals
