Mental health unit in talks to take over Mansfield healthcare centre

Bosses at Millbrook Mental Health Hospital, based at King’s Mill in Sutton, are in discussions to take over the site of St Andrew’s Healthcare at Sherwood Oaks Business Park, Mansfield.

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Millbrook, say the Sutton site is “not fit for purpose” and believe patients deserve a better “physical environment” for their care.

It is hoped that the sale of the St Andrew’s site will also help in improving conditions for Millbrook staff.

The move would see adult mental health services relocated from Millbrook to St Andrew’s, while mental health services for older people would remain at Millbrook.

John Brewin, Nottinghamshire Healthcare chief executive, said: “We have long known that our current unit Millbrook is not fit for purpose and our patients deserve a better physical environment when they are at their most vulnerable and unwell.

“Our staff work very hard in conditions which are not as good as they should be. This move will consolidate our local position as a provider of high quality, caring and compassionate services.

“We are actively recruiting to new posts and would welcome any interest from current staff at St Andrew’s who may want to remain in the area. I look forward to further developments around this revised service offer.”

St Andrew’s is a healthcare unit for people with autism and learning disabilities, and bosses want to move people out of secure care.

Katie Fisher, St Andrew’s CEO said: “By making this change we will be able to reduce the number of people with autism and learning disabilities who are living in secure care, and increase the number of individuals who are supported within the community, in a less restrictive setting.

“We’re working closely with Nottinghamshire Healthcare to see if they would like to recruit existing St Andrew’s staff.

“We will make every effort to find other roles within St Andrew’s for those able to work at our Birmingham, Northampton and Essex hospitals.”

The sale is expected to be complete by December 2020.