New hospital ‘will make a huge difference to men in their darkest hours’
‘MUCH-NEEDED’ MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY OPENS
A NEW hospital in Mansfield which will support men struggling with their mental health has officially opened.
Cygnet Hospital Sherwood is a purpose-built 44-bed unit that opened on Tuesday. More than 100 new jobs were brought to the area as a result of the opening.
The hospital is an extension to the existing Cygnet Health Care site on Rufford Colliery Lane which includes Cygnet Sherwood House and Cygnet Sherwood Lodge.
Construction began in the summer of 2022 and the site was opened by Mansfield MP Ben Bradley, alongside hospital director Claire Griffiths and Cygnet chief exec Dr Tony Romero.
The service features three wards, a 12-bed specialist Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit known as the Fern Ward and two 16-bed emergency acute services known as the Bramble Ward and Treetops Ward.
Ms Griffiths, who has worked with Cygnet for more than 16 years, said: “I am really excited to open this much-needed service in Nottinghamshire.
“We have recruited an incredible team with an array of experiences who will focus on stabilisation, empowering individuals to manage their mental health and preparing them for life back in the community in the quickest possible time.
“The new hospital provides a safe and comfortable environment to enable individuals to achieve outstanding outcomes as well as a successful recovery.” The new hospital is one of a number of new services being opened by Cygnet this year. The health and social care organisation is set to open six new hospitals, including Cygnet Sherwood, and modernise existing facilities as part of an extensive expansion programme. Mansfield MP Ben Bradley was invited to perform the ribbon-cutting ceremony. He said: “The investment by Cygnet Group is most welcome. “We know the pandemic had a huge impact on people’s mental health and more services are needed to support those experiencing mental health difficulties. “Patients deserve the very best support and Cygnet Hospital Sherwood will ensure that happens for East Midlands and Nottinghamshire men who can receive the treatment and care they need close to family and friends. I look forward to seeing the difference this fantastic facility will make to so many people. “We all have men in our lives who sometimes need help. That’s why I’m really grateful to have been invited along to have a look around and open this new hospital, and to welcome this investment in our local services.
“I know it will make a huge difference to people, supporting local men through their darkest hours and back to good health.
“I am confident this investment is going to produce some outstanding outcomes and it was a pleasure to officially open the hospital.”
Facilities include on-site car parking, a garden, en-suite bedrooms, therapy rooms, a multifaith room, a gym, treatment rooms, a hair salon, a communal lounge, a dining room, a quiet lounge and meeting rooms.
Dr Romero, Cygnet chief exec, said Cygnet Hospital Sherwood will complement the range of mental health services already delivered by the organisation in the area and support more people who need help.
He added: “Sadly, the number of people in need of specialist mental health care is rising. We want to be part of the solution and work together with the NHS to provide the best treatment and facilities to help people on their recovery journey. It is a huge responsibility, but it’s one that we are proud to take on every day.
“For the second year running, we have outperformed the national average in regulatory ratings and this new service will focus on providing a high-quality, muchneeded, pioneering service to the East Midlands community, focusing on hope, opportunity and possibility for the patients it serves.”
The pandemic had a huge impact on people’s mental health and more services are needed to support those experiencing difficulties.
Ben Bradley