Our new 20-bed assessment and treatment centre has officially opened its doors to provide inpatient care for adults with moderate to profound learning disabilities and associated mental health problems.

The £10.5m purpose-built development has twelve assessment and treatment beds and eight beds for people who need intensive support and rehabilitation. The new building—the Agnes Unit—includes all the latest facilities to provide a modern, safe and therapeutic environment and has five separate four bed units, each with their own communal living areas and gardens. Nursing and medical staff worked closely with the project designers to ensure the new building is able to meet the individual needs of patients and allows staff to deliver the highest possible level of care. The facility offers specialist therapy areas to help patients with day-to-day living, including kitchen and laundry areas and a horticultural courtyard garden. Patients also benefit from designated activity rooms, an outdoor sports area and plenty of space for peace and quiet.

LPT Chairman Tony Harrop said at the opening ceremony that “Local people have been waiting a long time for this kind of specialist NHS facility. Some of the patients in the Agnes Unit will need very intensive therapy and support and this specially designed therapeutic environment will allow our staff to provide the highest quality, individual care and treatment to aid the patients’ recovery”. The Agnes Unit is named after retired Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Agnes Hauck CBE. Dr Hauck worked in the Learning Disability Service in Leicester for a period spanning almost 30 years.

(Taken from our May 2009 edition)