One of Mersey Care’s main objectives in recent years has been to build a new, state-of-the-art medium secure unit in Maghull, Sefton – this became a priority after its existing facility, called Scott Clinic near St Helens, was deemed unfit for purpose under current care regulations.

It’s been a long process but they have received excellent news with confirmation of approval for a new 123-bed facility for the Maghull Health Park, which will go on its site close to Ashworth Hospital. The new unit will provide innovative co-located mental health and learning disability care as a result of the revised model of care.

A Mersey Care spokesperson said: “We expect building work to start in the next few months with a completion date of by June 2020, followed by a phased move into the new building from later that summer. Work is already underway to look at the practicalities of the transition from Scott Clinic and the Woodview specialist learning disability facility at Whalley, Lancashire, into the new unit.”

NHS England has also confirmed to Mersey Care that in future they wish to commission 40 low secure unit beds for people with learning disabilities, with a 20/20 split for men and woman. Mersey Care has been asked to develop an Outline Business Case for this service, due to be presented to the Mersey Care Board of Directors in June 2018.

A number of options are being considered, including building a new 40-bed unit on the Maghull Health Park or locating them elsewhere, needing approval by NHS Improvement, The Department of Health and possibly the Treasury later this year before any plans can proceed.