Work to build a £20 million mental health unit which will serve patients from Swindon and Wiltshire began last week. Located in Bristol, the new facility will offer care and support to people with a learning disability or autism from the northern half of the southwest region. NHS staff and construction workers, along with local people who have lived experience of learning disabilities and autism, watched the first spades break ground.
A model of how the unit will look (Image: NHS) The unit will be able to support up to 10 patients at any one time, with the building intended for those whose needs cannot be met by existing hospital or community-based services. Expected to open in 2025, it will cater to the care and support needs of patients closer to home, reducing the need for being admitted at facilities far from their families and friends. Among those who witnessed the turf being cut on July 19 was Ben Stunnel, an autism peer mentor whose lived experience has helped to influence the design of the new build.
He said: “It has been very rewarding and confidence building to have our thoughts and ideas listened to and it will be very exciting to see the building going up and taking shape knowing that we've contributed so much. “I really hope that in future many people and families will benefit from what this new building can offer." The work began on July 19 (Image: NHS) The facility, which will be run by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, will complemen.