Psychiatric ward undergoes £1.6m revamp

Belvoir Ward is part of the Bradgate Mental Health Unit at Glenfield Hospital

A psychiatric intensive care unit in Leicester has undergone a £1.6m revamp - the first major refurbishment since it opened in 1998.

Belvoir Ward, part of the Bradgate Mental Health Unit at Glenfield Hospital, provides care for adult mental health patients.

Its capacity was reduced to six in April 2024 due to damage in one area of the ward, but the upgrade means it can once again accommodate 10 patients, each with their own room.

Last year, inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said the ward was "tired and in need of updating".

In addition to being redecorated, new windows, flooring and upgraded doors have been installed.

The rooms and ensuite doors have been decorated with images of Leicestershire landmarks

Improvements have also been made to the safety systems, personal alarms and fire alarms.

A new mental health tribunal room has also been created, providing a space where patients who are detained under the Mental Health Act and their representatives can apply to be discharged from their section.

A significant proportion of the money for the refurbishment was provided in a grant from NHS England, according to Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, which runs the service.

Patients were transferred to another psychiatric intensive care unit in a neighbouring country while the 14-week refurbishment took place.

The ward's dining room was redecorated as part of the work

Samantha Wood, head of service for mental health inpatients and urgent and emergency care for the trust, said the ward was now "really fresh and bright".

"We hope that the improvements help patients to feel that they are going to be treated in a more therapeutic environment, and their families and carers will see that they are going to be safe," she said.

"It is really fantastic to see such a big difference in a relatively short space of time.

"It is also a much nicer place to work for our staff."