Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust has made the patient-centred decision to remodel their learning disability inpatient facilities at Townend Court and the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Hull.
The investment in these units is designed to keep patients closer to home, enabling them to remain connected to their families and communities. This supports smoother transitions back into the community and promotes recovery in familiar surroundings, while also reducing the need for out-of-area placements and helping to shorten lengths of stay.
The work has already begun, initially at Townend Court in Hull with a completion date set towards the end of the year. Plans will include the introduction of purpose-built suites to better meet the needs of service users with learning disabilities and to deliver flexible and person-centred care. People’s needs here can be complex and varied, so the improvements will focus on delivering high-quality care and ensuring patients feel safe and well supported
The next phase of the work will include the introduction of a newly designed low stimulus area and a complimentary sensory room for patients. This will then be followed by the creation of a 6 bed Women’s Intensive Therapeutic Care Unit, providing dedicated space for women needing high intensity psychiatric care.
Alongside work taking place in Townend Court, the facility at Miranda House in Hull will be redeveloped to create a 12 bed Male Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). This will significantly increase capacity and help ensure that men who need more intensive support can stay closer to home, near their families and communities.
We have worked together with service users to co-produce the changes to the spaces they use, ensuring their views and experiences have shaped the improvements. Consultations have looked at ward colours, fixtures, fittings and preferred sensory elements. User involvement ensures what is created meets the needs of those who use and share the spaces.
One of the key changes for patients is the introduction of single-sex wards for men and women. This helps staff provide more personalised care and has been shown to support quicker recovery and shorter hospital stays. The changes within Miranda House will reduce, and ultimately remove, the need for patients from Hull and the surrounding area to be treated far from home, helping them stay closer to their families and communities during their care.
The works are due to be complete by the end of November 2026 and updates on the redesigns will be made available throughout the project on Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust’s website. This significant investment in the redesign is a hugely positive step forward for patients and will greatly improve the availability of mental health support in the Hull area.