£1.6m refurbishment works have been completed on psychiatric intensive care unit Belvoir Ward in Leicester.
The ward provides care for patients with some of the greatest mental health needs in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Opened in 1998 as part of the Bradgate Mental Health Unit on the Glenfield Hospital site, this is the ward’s first refurbishment in the 27 years it has been in existence.
In 2024, the Care Quality Commission did an inspection and stated that the ward was “tired and in need of updating”, but noted that there were plans for changes.
The ward was temporarily reduced to a capacity of six before the refurbishment, due to damage in one area.
That has now been put right, and the capacity has been increased to its original ten. Each patient has their own room, with an ensuite toilet and shower.
The project
The refurbishment was initiated by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, which runs the unit, and was funded in the majority by a grant from NHS England.
The Trust planned works that included new windows, internal alarmed SENTRY doors, new vinyl flooring, new M&E systems, joinery works and decorations.
For these works, the Trust brought Tilbury Douglas on board.
Patients were transferred to another psychiatric intensive care unit in a neighbouring county for the duration of the construction
Chris Loach, Regional Director for East Midlands at Tilbury Douglas, explained that the project took a year to plan and six months to complete.
“It is great to see this project completed and handed over to our long-term partner,” Loach said. “Our partnership with the Trust continues to deliver facilities that make a positive impact to the patients utilising the Trust’s services within the region.”
The ward has been completely re-decorated, with all new flooring, new windows, upgraded doors, and new furniture for patients as well as new drinks station and improved heating.
A new mental health tribunal room has been created
The rooms and ensuite doors have also been decorated with images of Leicestershire landmarks to instil a sense of hope.
Because of the extent of the works, patients were transferred to another psychiatric intensive care unit in a neighbouring county for the duration of the construction.
Samantha Wood, Head of Service for Mental Health Inpatients and Urgent and Emergency care for Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, said: “It looks beautiful. It is really fresh and bright, and much more in keeping with a therapeutic environment for healthcare.
“We hope that the improvements help patients to feel that they are going to be treated in a more therapeutic environment, and their families and carers will see that they are going to be safe. It is also a much nicer place to work for our staff.
Security
Security is an important consideration on the ward because some people are detained under the Mental Health Act, so the work has included improvements to the safety systems, personal alarms and fire alarms.
A new mental health tribunal room has been created. This is where patients who are detained under the mental health act and their representatives can apply to be discharged from their section.
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