An update on the region’s first Mother and Baby mental health unit, Seren Lodge
This year Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) will open a new, state of the art Mother and Baby mental health unit.
The £7.5m single storey building will be the first of its kind across Cheshire, Merseyside, and North Wales. Last year the name ‘Seren Lodge’ was revealed by local Mum’s who have experienced maternal mental ill-health.
Nia Foulkes, expert by experience, said: “It was important to the group to choose a name which signified hope and positivity, but also something which was welcoming to families no matter where they live. The name ‘Seren’ translates as ‘star’ in Welsh and ‘lodge’ felt homely and not clinical at all, which we thought was perfect.”
More recently, work has continued at speed with Wrexham based contractor, Read Construction. The former training centre has undergone major remodelling works including a new roof and structural flooring installation. This, along with the newly installed fireproofing works will contribute to the highest standard of safety for patients and staff.
Larger play area so all families can use at the same time
Works are now concentrating on the two new-build extension elements, as well as internal walls, services installation and extensive landscaping to provide two large garden spaces.
Encouragingly a recent recruitment drive has also attracted over one thousand applications across multiple new roles including, mental health nurses, clinical support workers, pharmacy technicians and nursery nurses amongst others.
Opening at the end of 2025, Seren Lodge will provide a home from home for women and their babies in a therapeutic environment at a time when they need it most during mental health crisis.
Graham Wood, CWP capital projects manager, said: “The unit has been purposefully designed with people who have experienced maternal mental health difficulties and admission to other units across the country. This has provided invaluable insight into how patient experience can be improved through design and thoughtful planning.
“What has come across strongly is the importance of creating a calm and reassuring space, but also that small details can make a big difference. This includes things like having clocks in day areas to support orientation and baby routines, dimmable lighting throughout the unit and cushioned headboards to make night feeds more comfortable. We know that coming into hospital can be disorientating and our project ambition is to make the transition as easy as we can for people.”
Cushioned bedheads for comfortable night feeds
Other key areas of the design include:
All eight en-suite bedrooms to promote dignity and privacy with one bedroom specifically designed to cater for a family with twins or multiples.
A sensory room and multiple lounges to support quiet time, family visits and promote recovery.
Access to outside spaces with two garden areas and a walking pram loop in addition to families benefitting from close access to the Countess Country Park.
Suzanne Edwards, CWP director of operations and deputy CEO, said: “It is estimated that one in five women experience mental health problems in pregnancy and during the 24 months after giving birth. Whilst only a small number of women will need admission to a specialist unit like Seren Lodge, I’m delighted that we’ll soon be able to offer this care closer to home, in addition to the thousands of families we see in the community every year.
“I am really excited to see the excellent building and design progress being made and know Seren Lodge will enable us to provide the very best of perinatal care for the region when it opens later in the year.”
Calm and reassuring spaceLow stimulus decoration and dimmable lightingEasy access to outside spaceCreating a homely feel
Seren Lodge is a result of a partnership between Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCHUB), Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, NHS England and NHS Wales and will see a disused training centre transformed into a new specialist, eight bedded unit for perinatal mothers, babies and their families.
