County’s first psychiatric intensive care unit opens in Lincoln

Lincolnshire’s first Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) was officially opened at a ceremony in Lincoln today after a £2 million investment.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Lincoln officially opened the unit on Tuesday, June 27.

Following an investment of over £2 million, the centre, initially male-only, will offer additional provision in Lincolnshire for adults from July, who require intensive psychiatric care.

A sister unit for women is also in the pipeline with plans for a opening date of next year.

The Hartsholme Centre, built within an unused ward on the St George’s Hospital site on Long Leys Road in Lincoln, will provide 10 individual en-suite bedrooms for men. It also features a gymnasium, multi-faith room and lounge area for patients, as well as a secure and safe outdoor space.

Patients will no longer need to travel outside of the county to receive this vital support.

The newly refurbished building was recently handed over to Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT), from Lincoln-based building firm R G Carter and Focus Consultants.

LPFT Chief Executive, Dr John Brewin told The Lincolnite: “This is the fantastic first part of a jigsaw of services that we are hoping to put together.

“At any one time we have between 10 and 15 people that are receiving this sort of treatment outside of the county and that’s not right, at times of serious stress illness and distress to be away from your family.

“The number of people being taken out of the county will now be reduced significantly and we have a sister unit in the pipeline of 10 beds for women hopefully opening later next year and a number of other proposals as well which will strengthen our community provision so we will be able to treat more people in crisis at home and support them there.”

Tracy Colpitts, Ward Manager for the new Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit said: “We are really excited to be able to offer this new specialist support in Lincolnshire. I have a fantastic new team of around 40 staff to deliver what we know will be an invaluable service for patients.”