People recovering from life-changing brain and spinal cord injuries in Plymouth and surrounding areas will now have their unique rehabilitation needs supported in a modernised space, thanks to a £6.9m redevelopment of the Plym Neuro Rehabilitation Unit at Mount Gould Local Care Centre (LCC).
Mount Gould LCC is a key component of healthcare provision in the city, developed and managed by local LIFT Company, ReSound Health who provided comprehensive project management support for the delivery of the new unit. It is centrally situated on the Mount Gould Hospital Estate and currently provides a range of services including inpatient, outpatient, community and primary healthcare services all under one roof.
The reconfigured unit has been completely reimagined, moving away from an old ward format to a new, spacious fit-for-purpose layout, that offers more facilities to help reenable patients after a traumatic injury/surgery. Inpatients will undergo a bespoke package of rehabilitation with the support of therapists from Livewell Southwest.
The £6.9m redevelopment has been funded by Community Health Partnerships (CHP) and represents one of their largest funding projects to date. The projects’ success has been a culmination of joined up partnership working across both NHS and private partners, including CHP, ReSound Health Limited, gbpartnerships, NHS Property Services (NHSPS), LiveWell, University Hospitals Plymouth Trust NHS Trust, Devon Integrated Care Board and NHS England.
The new unit will have the capacity to deliver additional annual appointments, improving patient outcomes in the local community within a primary care setting.
Commemorating the official opening on Friday 6 December, the Plym Neuro Team welcomed colleagues from Community Health Partnerships, and partners from across the NHS and private sector.
I’m delighted to see the new Plym Neuro Rehabilitation Unit officially open. The project is a testament to the power of collaborative working between both private and public sector partners, all sharing a joint vision, leading to improved healthcare delivery across the local community. CHP’s £6.9m capital investment will enable services to be delivered from a safe and modern environment, supporting many patients in the crucial stages of their recovery.
On behalf of ReSound Health, I am really pleased to see the Plym Neuro Rehabilitation Unit officially open. ReSound Health’s comprehensive and expert project management support has enabled the project finish three months ahead of schedule, meaning the service can occupy the space ahead of Christmas 2024. This was achieved within the fixed budget established in summer 2022. The project exemplifies the power of collaboration and innovation in the healthcare sector.
Little had changed over the years at the former Plym Neuro site, with a limited number of side rooms and shower facilities that did not support the needs of our clients. The new environment is brighter, more spacious and fit for purpose. The new unit will support the team to meet the needs of all patients in a timelier way and support infection control procedures. During the last two years, the unit admitted more than 170 patients. This number is likely to increase as we will be able to admit patients quicker and not be limited by a male:female patient ratio.
To commemorate the completion of the build, Livewell welcomed key partners to the new facility ahead of the transfer of patients next week. The stories that we hear from those that have passed through the doors of Plym Neuro over the years is what brings us all here today. This development has been the culmination of several years of partnership working to deliver a modernised facility, which will deliver better outcomes for those who stay with us.
The Mount Gould project serves as an exemplar of how strategic master planning and collaboration between the local health system and private partners can unlock challenges across the NHS estate, especially in times where capital funding is constrained, optimise value across existing well maintained NHS estate and ultimately improve patient care across the local community for many years to come.
The new Plym Neuro service, delivered by Nevada Construction has been completed ahead of schedule and will see its first patients later this month.
Patient testimonial – Kay Rangasmy
Kay Rangasmy has been an inpatient at the current Plym Neuro since August. She has been receiving treatment for Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare condition that affects the nerves, movement and things such as breathing and heartbeat.
Kay Rangasmy is looking forward to being able to use the kitchen in the new unit
Kay has had a sneak preview of the new unit before transferring next week.
When you go in, you are just hit by this amazing space. I particularly like the clever colour coding of areas so you know where you are, and the individual lights you can bring over the bed in the patient bays. They will make a big difference to people like me as I don’t sleep very well. This design means I can stay up late and not disturb other people.
I used to work as a cook, so I am looking forward to making my own meals in the new facilities during my rehab sessions with the Occupational Therapists. This will give patients a real taste of independence for life outside.
I think the new unit will be brilliant for the clinical teams too. They will have a space that they can really work in. They are the amazing people who make us well again.
Optimising Estates through Partnership Working
The relocation of the Plym Neurological Service to Mount Gould LCC and the reconfiguration of the Hospital Estate demonstrate a commitment to providing high-quality healthcare services in a modern and efficient environment. This project exemplifies the power of collaboration and innovation in the healthcare sector.
Mount Gould Local Care Centre news
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