A new community mental health and learning disability hub is set to open in the heart of Bury, marking a significant investment in local healthcare services. The Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust and Bury Council are investing over £2 million to refurbish 3 Knowsley Place, transforming it into a modern facility designed to provide comprehensive care for those with mental health issues and learning disabilities in the area.
Better Facilities for Staff and Patients
The new hub will provide a range of specialized services, supporting thousands of people across Bury. It will offer a better working environment for over 300 staff, including nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and speech and language therapists. These professionals will work together under one roof, making it easier for patients to access a variety of services and support.
Sarah Preedy, Chief Operating Officer at Pennine Care NHS, expressed excitement about the development: “This is a significant step forward in our ambition to invest and develop high-quality, well-located buildings that will help us deliver excellent patient care and be a good place to work for colleagues.”
By consolidating services into one location, the hub aims to create an environment where mental health and learning disability specialists can work closely together, offering more coordinated and efficient care for the local community.
Improving Access to Mental Health Services
The refurbished building will feature 15 consultation rooms on the ground floor, designed to provide a comfortable and private environment for over 8,000 patient appointments each year. The facility will cater to a range of mental health and learning disability needs, from those dealing with anxiety and depression to individuals with more severe mental health conditions and complex needs.
On the upper floors, the hub will offer office spaces, meeting rooms, and a variety of staff facilities, including breakout spaces, multi-faith areas, education and training spaces, and a digital hub. These improvements are expected to enhance the overall working conditions for healthcare professionals, helping them to deliver better services for the people of Bury.
Expanded Mental Health and Learning Disability Services
The services run by Pennine Care NHS that will be housed in the new hub include:
- Bury NHS Talking Therapies
- Early Interventions Team
- Community Mental Health Teams
- Secondary Care Psychological Therapies
These teams will provide essential assessments, support, and treatment for individuals with a range of mental health challenges, from mild anxiety and depression to more severe conditions.
Additionally, Bury’s children and adult community learning disability teams will be relocated to 3 Knowsley Place, offering vital support for children, adults, families, and carers affected by learning disabilities.
The move is expected to streamline services and improve the overall patient experience, ensuring that people can access the care they need in a timely and efficient manner.
Sustainability and Long-Term Plans
Pennine Care NHS has signed a lease agreement until 2035 with Bury Council, signaling a long-term commitment to providing community-based mental health and learning disability services in the area. The refurbishment of the building is scheduled to begin in early 2025, with the hub expected to open in autumn 2025.
The relocation of services from Humphrey House and Windsor House—which currently lack the modern facilities and clinical spaces needed—will also reduce the number of buildings operated by both the NHS and the council. This consolidation will not only improve service delivery but will also help reduce the carbon footprint by decreasing the energy and resource consumption associated with operating multiple buildings.
Cllr Tamoor Tariq, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Health, and Well-being, emphasized the importance of this move: “By reducing the number of buildings both organisations operate from, and moving to a more modern, sustainable building, we will also be able to reduce our carbon footprint by reducing the amount of energy and resources we use, and improve the efficiency of the services.”
The Future of Mental Health Care in Bury
The opening of the new hub is a significant step toward improving access to mental health services and support for people with learning disabilities in Bury. The modern, state-of-the-art facility will not only enhance the quality of care provided but will also create a more sustainable model for delivering healthcare in the community.
As the project progresses, the aim is to create a hub that will serve as a beacon for high-quality mental health care and learning disability support, benefiting not just individuals in Bury but also setting a standard for similar services across the region.
Key Takeaways:
- £2 million investment to refurbish 3 Knowsley Place into a mental health and learning disability hub.
- The facility will support over 300 staff and serve thousands of patients each year.
- The hub will provide 15 consultation rooms and a range of services, including mental health and learning disability support.
- The building’s design includes improved staff facilities, such as breakout spaces and a digital hub.
- Consolidating services into one location will improve efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint.
- The hub is expected to open in autumn 2025.
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