Seastone, located in Bournemouth and developed by Dorset HealthCare with £17.9 million in funding, offers 24-hour inpatient care for 13 to 18-year-olds facing severe mental health challenges.
The facility aims to reduce the need for out-of-area placements by enabling young people to receive treatment close to home, near their families and support networks.
Local MPs Neil Duncan-Jordan, Lloyd Hatton, and Jessica Toale attended the opening ceremony.
The opening of Seastone, which saw representatives from Dorset HealthCare, local MPs, the New Hospital Programme, Dorset Mental Health Forum, NHS England and Kier Construction in attendance (Image: Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust)
Matthew Bryant, chief executive of Dorset HealthCare, said: “Having Seastone means that seriously ill young people can now be cared for locally, close to their family and friends, which will greatly improve their chances of a lasting recovery.
“The unit looks truly amazing, and it will undoubtedly help a great many people in real need.
“We’re very grateful to young service users and peer specialists from the Dorset Mental Health Forum for their input, the Government’s New Hospital Programme, our developers Kier and everyone at Dorset HealthCare – everyone has worked so hard in partnership to create this important facility.”
The eight-bed unit is the first of its kind in the South West and forms part of a £70.6 million package to improve mental health services in Dorset under the Government’s New Hospital Programme (NHP).
Aimed at young people with needs too complex for standard inpatient care, Seastone is equipped to support those at significant risk of self-harm or who may pose a risk to others.
It was designed by Medical Architecture & Art and constructed by Kier Construction.
Each patient has a private ensuite bedroom, and the unit also includes dedicated seclusion and de-escalation spaces, therapy and sensory rooms, educational facilities, a gym, and a family visiting area.
The ribbon cutting at Seastone. From left: DHC project managers Amelia Camm and Kerri Instance, Dorset Mental Health Forum peer specialist Chloe Curtis, DHCs CAMHS inpatient service manager Claire Ozmond, NHP delivery lead Anne Griffiths and Paul Williams (Image: Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust)
Charlotte Taylor CBE, joint senior responsible officer for the NHP, said: “We’re delighted to see the opening of the Alumhurst Road children’s mental health unit as part of the New Hospital Programme, which will provide excellent care and new child and adolescent mental services for the South West.”
Darren Crook CBE, delivery strategy director for the NHP, said: “It was wonderful to be invited to the opening of such outstanding facilities, which will make a huge difference to young lives, families, and the wider community.
“The New Hospital Programme continues to strive to deliver better, faster and with ultimate value for the taxpayer.”