Oak Ward – ward refurbishment and safety suite extension

Oak Ward was opened in 2009, as a newly built 15 (fifteen) bedded Psychiatric Intensive care unit (PICU) for adults serving both men and women. The ward now only operate with 10 (beds) and these are all for male service users.

Clinical and Building specifications have changed significantly over the recent years and various works are now proposed to bring the environment up to current standards required by AIMS-PICU and the CQC and to future proof the space.

Since opening in 2009 the building has suffered from some significant damage which has resulted in high cost repairs being undertaken on a piece meal basis.

Trust appointed designers and project managers have worked closely and liaised with key senior clinical staff in order to agree a client brief and then develop the preferred set of design options.

The key elements of the scope are:

• Create a new safety suite (rear extension)
• Bedrooms and all day spaces refurbished
• Replacement of Air handling unit to improve air change rates in key spaces
• Refurbish internal courtyard garden
• Adapt/optimise layout by relocating Nurse Station, Games room and Treatment room
• New sensory/de-escalation room created
• New admissions room created

The ward has remained at full capacity for the works which presents significant logistical challenges for the delivery team.