Publish date: 23 September 2021
Staff and service users celebrated being part of the National Service User Awards’ virtual ceremony on Tuesday afternoon with a get-together for coffee, cake and conversation at our new mental health facility Hartley Hospital, in Southport.
The Mersey Care project was part of a Strategic Estates’ initiative that involved corporate and multi-disciplinary clinical staff from several divisions working with service users and carers over a four-year period. They took part in workshops and drop-ins to feedback multiple aspects around its design, colour scheme, green spaces, signage and artwork. The hospital was completed in December 2020 and officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal on 26 July 2021
Although it didn’t win in the National Service User Awards’ final it was shortlisted in the Outstanding Service User Involvement category and runner-up in the Service Users’ Choice Vote. Head judge Ian Callaghan, from Rethink Mental Illness, said of the Hartley initiative: “The impact of the co-production with service users over several years was tremendous and we were really impressed with this project."
National Service User Awards 2021 was held via video conference, as the organisers felt that although legal restrictions were no longer in place the safest way to ensure an enjoyable experience for all was to attend the awards virtually.
One of the Mersey Care service user groups actively involved in the design and photography sessions was invited into Hartley Hospital to watch the awards ceremony and celebrate with staff members Tim Fletcher and Maria Gilbert. Thanks to Clinical Service Manager Paul Hart, Facilities Site Manager Helen McCarron and her facilities team and other support staff for enabling the group to enjoy a pleasurable experience watching the awards safely and comfortably with refreshments, followed by a fun quiz.
One specific example of engagement highlighted at the awards was a photography project to personalise bedroom signage at Hartley Hospital. This involved staff and service users from the former Park and Boothroyd Units, The Life Rooms Southport and Focus Community Learning Disability Team. Strategic Estates Project Manager Deana Huizer, Programme Support Manager Arts and Wellbeing Berenice Gibson and Communications Manager Graham Hignett coordinated the programme between occupational therapy and activity workers, support staff and Hartley’s design and construction partners.
- Watch a 4m 41 secs video about our Hartley Hospital service user project
- Download the Awards’ programme.