Construction of Derby mental health unit paused due to “exceptional additional noise”

The refurbishment of a mental health unit in Derby, a multi-million pound undertaking, has been temporarily stopped. This pause is a result of “exceptional additional noise” impacting staff and patients in the vicinity. The Radbourne unit, situated adjacent to the Royal Derby Hospital, is undergoing refurbishment. This work is part of a nationwide initiative aimed at eliminating dormitory accommodation within mental health facilities. Upon completion, the unit is intended to feature two 17-bed wards, each comprising single en-suite rooms, alongside an increase in staffing. The facility’s initial opening target was spring 2025. However, Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has indicated that autumn 2025 is now a more probable timeframe, acknowledging that this revised date still presents “a challenge” because of financial constraints. Concurrently, two other new acute units, named the Derwent and Carsington units, are now scheduled to open in spring 2025, a delay from their original planned opening this autumn. Separately, two adult acute mental health units, one at Audrey House in Derby and the Bluebell ward in Chesterfield, have also encountered minor delays. These delays are attributed to changes in specifications and supply chain problems. Despite this, they are anticipated to open in spring 2025 and before the end of this winter, respectively. Construction activities at the Radbourne unit will remain suspended until patients have been relocated to these two aforementioned facilities. The monetary consequences of this delay are presently undisclosed. Trust documents indicate that the Radbourne project was already contending with “increased cost pressures.” These papers also noted that completing the project next year “without national support… is a challenge.” The trust confirmed it had “taken the decision to pause the work” on the Radbourne Unit. The trust further elaborated: “Unfortunately, unforeseen technical issues with the ground works and foundations have led to some exceptional additional noisy works being required for extensive periods of time, over a material period of the construction phase.” It added: “This made working and caring for patients very difficult.” During a board meeting on Tuesday, hospital directors were informed that staff members had likened the noise disturbance to an “earthquake,” with numerous staff having personally requested a halt to the construction. Nevertheless, directors emphasized that “the spirit is still there to get the building over the line” despite the encountered difficulties. Tony Edwards, who chairs the board’s finance committee, stated, “We’re managing [the challenges].” In 2020, the government committed over £400m towards a national effort to eliminate dormitory accommodation in mental health facilities, aiming to enhance patient safety and dignity. Over £150m of this funding was allocated for new facilities specifically within Derbyshire.