Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust today took ownership of the keys for Rowan View, their state of the art medium secure unit based at Maghull Health Park.

Despite adjustments to safety work practices during the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, the 123 en-suite bed hospital has been handed over by contractors in the Kier Group just two years since the ground breaking for the ambitious project.


Elaine Darbyshire, Mersey Care’s Executive Director of Estates, said: “Rowan View represents a step change in care for service users, preparing them for life beyond care.


“It looks and feels totally different from traditional mental health hospitals. More importantly we believe the expertise and care delivered from here will be the best in the country if not beyond.”


A new model of care has been devised by senior clinicians, working with existing service users, for the eight-ward unit. It will deliver innovative treatments which will improve recovery times for forensic patients presenting with mental health and learning disabilities.


“We’re delivering a radical reshaping of care,” added Mrs Darbyshire. “Our leading experts in forensic care from Mersey Care have visited services across the country to make sure the new development delivers the highest standards.”


The £60 million centre of excellence for forensic care has equal emphasis transformative care for patients and a positive culture for staff. Innovations include immersive technology, sensory rooms and media walls, which will provide vulnerable patients with access to services and new forms of therapy, as well as aiding interactive training and staff wellbeing sessions.

Service users will have safe computer access to care plans, activity plans, ordering meals, viewing their personal photographs and the ability to maintain contact with family and carers virtually.


A café space also opens out into extensive flower gardens, plus recreational areas and places for quietness and reflection. Art and light displays which support calmness and relaxation have been created in consultation with people who use services, adding to a therapeutic experience of the building which is a world away from older models of mental health care.


Dr Michael Gregory, Medical Director for Commissioning in NHS England and NHS Improvement North West, said: “This is an excellent step forward in care for some of our most vulnerable patients and we are delighted to see this impressive new facility coming together for Mersey Care and its service users.”


Services for patients will begin in the autumn, replacing existing older facilities in the Mersey Care estate. Rowan View brings together expertise on a new site which already includes research and conference facilities, and will include a further development of a £33million low secure learning disability unit, currently going through the early stages of the approvals process.