New mental health wards shortlisted for national awards

Shortlisted in the Project of the Year – New Build and Best Service User Engagement in the Design in Mental Health Awards 2023, the £24 million wards offer a much improved experience for those experiencing a mental health crisis.

Both 19 bed wards at Lincoln County Hospital have spacious single bedrooms each with private en-suite bathrooms, a variety of indoor activity areas and multiple outside spaces. The modern facilities will use the latest technology and therapeutic design, to ensure an environment that is both conducive to recovery and pleasant to live in, work at and visit.

Throughout the development of proposals and designs, LPFT has engaged with experts by experience, service users, staff, carers and the wider Lincolnshire community, alongside key stakeholders from the wider health and care system, to ensure it is fit for purpose and all plans are thoroughly informed by and co-created with the communities it will serve.

Alan Pattison, LPFT’s Clinical-Operational Estates Lead, comments:

“We are absolutely delighted to hear that we have been shortlisted for two awards. It is a real credit to all the teams involved who have worked tirelessly to deliver a state of the art building fit for the future.  It is a real accolade to be shortlisted amongst the top professionals in the design in mental health sector.”

Sarah Cox, LPFT's participation coordinator who runs the Building Together focus group with our experts by experience, adds:

“I am extremely proud of the dedication, passion and commitment the Building Together Focus Group (BTFG) have given as part of this project.  We set up the BTFG in February 2021 to work alongside the Project Team to offer feedback, comments and views on the design and build of our new wards.  The group have been involved in decisions regarding the furnishings, decoration, signage and technology and have felt included and valued throughout the build project.  We are absolutely delighted that the achievements of the group have been recognised at the National Design in Mental Health awards."

Winners will be announced on 7 June.

The new wards are expected to open at the end of June.

A public open day is being hosted on Friday 16 June. To book a free ticket, please visit www.lpft.nhs.uk/newacutewards