A £5.2 million specialist mental health unit to improve care for men experiencing severe mental health distress has opened at Tameside Hospital.

Taking nearly two years to build, Walkerwood psychiatric intensive care unit is run by Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust. It’s replaced the former Cobden psychiatric intensive care unit in Stockport, providing short-term care for men over 18.

Most patients are from Tameside, Glossop, Oldham, Stockport, Bury, Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale but the unit can accept patients from further afield.

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust say patients and staff have been at the heart of the design to make sure the unit is safe, comfortable and modern. 

Patients and staff also chose the name Walkerwood, after local beauty spot Walkerwood Reservoir in Stalybridge. 

The unit boasts a gym, therapy kitchen and garden, along with a vast amount of therapeutic space which will support patients’ recovery. There’s plenty of areas for patients to relax and have time alone, including individual ensuite bedrooms and a dedicated quiet room. And there’s a dedicated family visiting room, allowing them to visit their loved one in quiet and comfortable surroundings, away from the main ward areas.

Lots of state-of-the art safety features have been included, such as special electronic windows and blinds in each bedroom and an innovative magnetic-hinged bathroom door.

A virtual tour of Walkerwood is available at https://www.penninecare.nhs.uk/unit-tours

'The new unit is fantastic' 

Former patient Garry McNicholas, 48, from Tameside, said: “It looks really organised and welcoming. As a patient, I found it important to keep busy, so the gym and bedroom TVs will help. It’s also good to have lots of places to relax, including a grass area to sunbathe.

“Coming here as a visitor feels like a high point in my recovery; I’ve come full circle. I don’t ever want to come back as a patient, but if I do need help in the future, having this unit feels like a safety net.

“I’m so grateful to the staff who’ve supported me. I know there’ll be ups and downs, but I’m feeling positive about the future.”

Walkerwood manager Laura Prince said: “There's been a lot of planning and hard work from numerous people to support this brilliant new unit.

“Staff are excited to move in. The extra space and purpose-built facilities will allow us to provide better care and therapy. And the dedicated staff room and yard will allow the team to take time away from the unit during breaks, which is important for wellbeing. A massive thank you to everyone that’s supported us through this journey.”

Professor Tim Kendall, NHS England’s national clinical director for mental health, recently visited the unit. He said: “The new unit is fantastic, particularly the large bedrooms, outdoor areas, and how spacious the unit is.

“People experiencing serious mental illness need therapy and space to feel safe and rest. This unit offers it all. The needs of staff have also been considered with the inclusion of a dedicated break room, yard area and shower facilities. 

“Most people won’t ever need a service like this. But those who do can benefit from this state-of-the art unit, run by a caring and experienced team. I thank everyone involved in the creation and running of the unit and I’ll aim to promote [the unit] as a best practice example nationally.”

Work will now begin to refurbish Stockport’s Cobden unit into a psychiatric intensive care unit for women. This is something Pennine Care doesn’t currently provide and will allow women to receive specialist NHS psychiatric care closer to home. 

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust say the refurbishment will cost around £600,000 and be completed to the same high standards as Walkerwood. It’s expected to open in late spring 2023; with patients and staff choosing to call it Woodbank, after the borough’s historical park.