New mental health crisis unit opens in Londonderry

Health Minister Edwin Poots said a new £10.8m purpose built hospital to replace Gransha will provide more comfort and dignity to in-patients and help the recovery process.

Grangewood Hospital, with a total of 30 ensuite bedrooms, six of which are integrated Psychiatric Intensive Care beds, was officially launched yesterday (December 17).

It includes a fully functional Acute Day Care unit which supports both in-patients and community patients and an operational base for Crisis Response Home Treatment which provides 24/7 response to individuals in crisis.

Mr Poots said: “Bamford and the Reform and Modernisation process of ‘Transforming Your Care’ both place a deserved emphasis on building and developing quality community services.

“Although its emphasis was on treating people with a mental illness in their own homes as the best option of caring for them, the Western Health and Social Care Trust recognised that Gransha also needed a significant overhaul and invested in the new, state-of-the-art Crisis Unit.

“The new unit has been operational since last year and I know that feedback from service users, carers and staffs has all been extremely positive. I congratulate everyone involved in bringing this vital project to fruition.”

Chairman of the Western Trust, Gerard Guckian said: “The Western Trust is delighted to complete the build of a new, state-of-the- art Crisis Unit at a cost of £10.8million. This unit replaces the old Gransha admission wards which were built in the early 1960’s and were no longer fit for purpose.

“Grangewood has been operational since November 2012 and the feedback from service users, carers and staff has been extremely positive. This marvellous new facility is one of the most unique, modern and patient centred facilities now available in Northern Ireland.

“It will provide mental health services for those individuals in crisis and act as a sanctuary conducive to recovery and improvement in mental health and well-being.”