A brand new hospital in Southport which cost £21million to build has now opened its doors to patients.
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust successfully moved inpatients to the new “state of the art” Hartley Hospital on Curzon Road from the previous original Hesketh Centre site on Albert Road.
Mersey Care staff were praised for opening the mental health facility months ahead of schedule during the coronavirus epidemic.
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Chief Operating Officer Donna Robinson said: “Our staff managed, months ahead of schedule, to be able to move our adult ward into the new Hartley Hospital at a time when we are working through a situation we have never been in before due to this pandemic.
“Everyone from the ward staff, facilities and estates personnel, transport and support services, management team and construction partners, worked virtually overnight to ensure the move was achieved safely and in the best interests of our patients.
The new Hartley Hospital in Southport
“Like most hospitals, all visiting to our inpatient wards is currently suspended to protect patients and staff during the pandemic.
“But we are looking forward to a future time when patients’ families and friends can see this beautiful Hartley Hospital building at first hand.”
The hospital brings together Southport’s mental health inpatient care on one site for the first time in years and has two 20-bed wards.
All the bedrooms in the hospital are single with en-suite bathrooms and wards have safe inner garden courtyards, therapy and activity areas, a gym and a short-term assessment suite.
The new Hartley Hospital in Southport
Bosses said once it is safe to do so ‘The Jam Butty’ cafe, family visiting room, sacred space and further offices and outpatient services will open.
Health chiefs said other existing community mental health services and offices will remain at the Hesketh Centre pending completion of phase two of the Hartley Hospital development during 2020.
Healthwatch Sefton representative Brian Clark OBE said: “We are delighted that work on the new Hartley Hospital is proceeding despite the major difficulties caused by Covid-19.
“It is a credit to all the staff involved that they were able to move the inpatient service at this difficult time.”
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