Eastern Region’s Largest Ever Investment in Older Adult Mental Healthcare Set to Open
The official opening of The Crystal Centre, one of the UK’s biggest ever investments in older adult mental health care, will take place in Chelmsford, Essex, on Tuesday 3 November 2009.
(PRWeb UK/PRWEB ) October 28, 2009 -- The official opening of The Crystal Centre, one of the UK’s biggest ever investments in older adult mental health care, will take place in Chelmsford, Essex, on Tuesday 3 November 2009. Frank Bruno MBE will attend to perform the ceremony.
External image of the new Crystal Centre
The Crystal Centre is the first major investment of the North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which achieved Foundation Trust status in 2007.
The £13m state of the art development is a new-build project, comprising a four wing, two floor centre. The 34 bed facility will provide a full range of care, including inpatient assessment, community and day services to meet the needs of residents over the age of 65 who have dementia or other forms of mental ill health. It is the first time locally that this range of services will be available under one roof.
Chairman of the North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (NEPFT), Mary St Aubyn, said:
“I am thrilled about this superb new facility. Our dementia services are already nationally recognised as a Centre of Excellence and we’re delighted that Frank Bruno is opening our new centre to which these fantastic services are moving.”
NEPFT Chief Executive, Andrew Geldard, said:
“The 3 November will be a landmark occasion, not only for people living in Mid Essex, but also in terms of the investment in mental healthcare provision in the UK.”
The Crystal Centre was constructed by regional contractor, Kier Eastern, marking the fifth contract awarded to the company under the ProCure 21 NHS procurement scheme.
Managing Director Graham Howe, said:
“Kier Eastern is proud to be part of the team associated with this project and to have delivered this outstanding facility in just 14 months to an excellent standard, within budget and on-programme.”
Designed to specific clinical requirements, the building features a full height glazed panel, a sloping diagonal roof design, landscaped grounds and four enclosed planted courtyards. A high tech building management system assists in the energy efficiency of lighting, heating and cooling. The building has been given an excellent rating using the NHS environmental assessment tool, NEAT.
The Crystal Centre expands on the Trust’s Mid Essex Centre of Excellence accreditation from Bournemouth University which was awarded to its dementia unit at Drake House – an award only granted to a small handful of trusts in England. Drake House is one of four older adult services moving into the new centre and will share best practice nationally.
Media Call
Media are invited to attend the official opening of The Crystal Centre, Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, CM1 7ET on Tuesday 3 November 2009 at 1.30pm.
Following speeches, Frank Bruno MBE will perform the ribbon cutting ceremony.
To attend the opening ceremony please contact:
Anna Mills/Harriet Thorpe
Pinstripe PR
Tel: 01603 717 416
Email: anna (at) pinstripepr (dot) co (dot) uk
Email: harriet (at) pinstripepr (dot) co (dot) uk
For further information on The Crystal Centre and Older Adult Mental Health Services in Essex, or to arrange interviews with NEPFT staff, contact:
Helene Samuel
Community Engagement & Events Officer
Tel: 01245 546400
Email: helene.samuel (at) nepft (dot) nhs (dot) uk
Luisa Hart
PR & Communications Officer
Tel: 01245 546400
Email: luisa.hart (at) nepft (dot) nhs (dot) uk
David Gallagher
Associate Director of Communications (Interim)
Tel: 01245 546400
Email: david.gallagher (at) nepft (dot) nhs (dot) uk
###
See the original story at: http://uk.prweb.com/releases/Cyrstal_Centre/Mental_Health/prweb3111984.htm
|
