New mental health ward opening to help women in crisis

Report by ITV News Meridian's Penny Silvester

A brand new mental health ward has been unveiled in Basingstoke.

The 18 bed unit at Parklands Hospital will be for female patients and is designed to ensure women in crisis receive the care they need closer to home.

It includes en-suite bedrooms, shared living areas and calm spaces for when a patient is feeling overwhelmed.

Special design features include bedroom doors that can open both ways in case someone tries to barricade themselves in. 

Clare Thomas, Ward Manager, said: "I think there has been an amazing piece of work done between the clinicians and the service users to get a beautiful therapeutic environment that will be an amazing opportunity to support their recovery."

At the moment 23 patients with acute mental health needs are cared for on a large mixed ward at the Southern Health site at Basingstoke.

The new unit means there are more beds and in future men and women will sleep in their own quarters.

Southern Health says it is part of a £2.7 million investment into mental health services in mid and North Hampshire.

The first patients are expected to move in over the coming weeks.