The Abraham Cowley Unit (ACU) in Chertsey will temporarily close by the end of April 2022 so construction of the new hospital can begin on the existing site. All services will carefully transition to new accommodation. The new hospital is due to open in spring 2024.
Our remaining Working Age Adult wards (Blake and Clare) are now closed to new admissions. This will ensure people receive continuity of care during their stay and will not need to transfer to another ward shortly after admission.
People on our working age adult wards who need to remain in hospital will move to our Farnham Road Hospital or their care will be transferred to an independent provider, if we do not have an available bed. We have secured independent sector beds in Surrey and Kent to minimise the impact on travel times for families and carers as much as possible. However, as supply and demand of beds can be difficult to predict, we may need to look further afield.
Our Older Adults ward (Spenser Ward) will continue to operate as normal until it moves to the New Spenser Ward on St. Peter’s Hospital campus in April. The new, purpose-built ward will provide 20 single ensuite bedrooms, communal facilities, and access to gardens.
From 25 March, the Psychiatric Liaison Service will move into St. Peter’s Hospital A&E department so they can continue to work closely alongside A&E and the wards. This is in line with Core 24 national guidance to provide all-age mental health liaison services in emergency departments and inpatient wards within acute hospitals
The two Health Based Places of Safety (HBPoS), where people can be detained and assessed under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act, are moving to Farnham Road Hospital, Guildford, where they will be co-located with our two other HBPoS suites from 21 March. The police will also have access to a safe waiting space here if the suites are full.
Finally, our community-based services i-access, the North West Home Treatment Team and R&D will be located in our newest Community Hub, Two Bridges, in Chertsey from week commencing 18 April. Music Therapy will be based in Unither House, our main Community Hub in Chertsey from 19 April. These are modern buildings, centrally located and easy to access via public transport.
For more information about our New Hospitals Programme please visit our website or contact us at: newhospitals@sabp.nhs.uk