A pathfinder for the modernisation of mental health care in Belfast, the facility promotes the model of decentralised community-based services as set out in the recent\u00a0Transforming Your Care\u00a0<\/i>policy document.<\/p>\n
Setting a precedent for the future of community mental health design, the facility houses the community mental health team and consultant outpatient clinics. There is also a day treatment facility complete with a kitchen, craft room, one-to-one \u2018talking pods\u2019, and a therapy garden; and an eight-bedroom home treatment house designed for short-stay patients.<\/p>\n
This part of the building has a separate entrance and private garden, self-service kitchen and open-plan living area designed to feel and operate like a stand-alone \u2018home-from-home\u2019 as opposed to a traditional mental health inpatient facility.[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line”][vc_column_text]\n
While giving the service user a sense of privacy, the building was designed to be an open, naturally-lit and inviting space that helps to promote a sense of calm and wellbeing. The design team and contractors have undoubtedly delivered on this brief with bespoke private areas and an entrance and main concourse that opens out to a beautifully-landscaped main garden protected from public view by the building itself. Early indications from service users are that the building is a therapeutic space that offers a relaxing environment during what is often a stressful experience.<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line”][vc_column_text]\nThe judges said<\/h3>\n