New Unit For Mentally Ill Children

The county’s first in-patient service for teenagers with mental health problems has opened in Lancaster. The £1.5m centre, named the Junction, will cater for 12 to 16-year-olds with illnesses such as depression, eating disorders, anxiety, self-harming and suicidal thoughts.

The new unit, on Ashford Road, is the only service of its kind in Lancashire. Health bosses say it will cut travelling to Manchester, or even Newcastle, endured by youngsters in the county.

The new development – part of Lancashire Care NHS Trust’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services – will provide a short-stay in-patient service for young people who live in Lancashire or South Cumbria.

Andrew Simpson, head of child and adolescent mental health services for Lancashire Care NHS Trust, said: “I am very pleased that following a great deal of hard work over the last three years, the new service has now been opened.”

The unit has eight single en-suite bedrooms, therapy rooms, educational facilities, activity rooms, lounges, an extra care suite and garden areas. It will provide assessment, intensive therapy and a range of psychological treatment for young people and families.

Every young person will have their own personal care plan to meet their needs, including a range of therapy sessions such as social skills activities, creative therapies, educational activities, leisure activities and support with careers and employment.

Health chiefs say the length of stay will be kept to a minimum. There will be intensive treatment and outreach support to young people before they are admitted and after they are discharged, so they can receive treatment at home.

Dr Sheila Shribman, national clinical director for children, young people and maternity services, opened the centre accompanied by a group of young people who helped influence the new service’s staff training, recruitment, furniture selection and colour schemes.

Dr Shribman said: “This is an extremely well-designed unit. I would like to pay tribute to the young people that have been involved and who have had a great deal of positive influence in the whole process.”