A monthly project group has been set up to help develop plans for a new mental health hub in a North Yorkshire town.
Patients and carers supported by our Trust’s adult and community teams across Harrogate have been invited to have their say in the design of the building.
“The next step will involve talking about potential colour schemes, using a range of images we have produced,” said strategic estates manager Lisa Stamp.
“We are also hoping to bring some of the rooms to life with the images, so that people can start to get a feel for them.”
Improving staff and patient experience
The Trust’s community teams in Harrogate are currently split across three sites – Windsor House, Dragon Parade and Jennyfield Health Centre.
The move to the new base will unite all the services and follows a lengthy search for a suitable building.
“We picked Jesmond House as it will offer a much-improved environment and experience for patients, carers and staff,” said director of estates, facilities and capital Simon Adamson.
“Now we have to focus on getting the clinic and waiting areas right, which is why we would really appreciate the comments of patients and carers.
“We want to know what makes people feel comfortable. Whether that is the colour of the walls, the paintings or posters we use, or if people would like to watch TV while they wait.”
Focus is on getting things right
The new Jesmond House project team includes involvement members from both adult mental health services and child and adolescent mental health services.
The next meeting of the Harrogate-based group will be held on July 16, to look at plans, meet the team and chat with the architect.
“Feedback from the event, as well as design workshops, will be fed into the design to ensure that when it is signed off it is fit for purpose,” said Lisa.
Plans for the future
A design workshop is being planned for next month, and a site visit is also to be held – to help patients and carers get an idea of the size of some of the spaces in the building.
The project team is also looking into the digital and data requirements of the move – to ensure the new hub has the right connectivity for staff to be able to access patient systems.
A joint building operational policy is being developed as well, so that staff are clear on how the building works and what to do/who to contact if there are any initial issues.
“We hope that working closely with involvement members will give people feel a sense of ownership, as they have been part of the process and feel they have been listened to,” said Lisa.
