The Junipers is a brand new, purpose-built Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for Devon, based in the grounds of Wonford House in Exeter.
Having our own inpatient intensive careservice in Devon will make a huge difference to people’s lives. It is a major step forward and is a key part of our plans to improve acute mental health care.
The Junipers is a state-of-the-art, 10 bed unit for men and women, serving the population of Devon. Close working relationships will be required with our five acute inpatient wards (based in Barnstaple, Exeter and Torbay), with Livewell South West – which provides mental health services in Plymouth – and with a number of other local agencies and partners. The Unit is due to open in January 2019.
The design process
Working with our architects, the Clinical Reference Group looked at the experience of individuals from Devon and their families who have used PICU’s to provide us with their feedback and sought guidance from NaPICU and other National Building Reference Material alongside visits to PICU’s across the breadth of England & Wales.
The group has representation from indivdiuals who use services and their carers and families, and a wide representation form staff ensuring that we maximise the knowledge, experience and expertise as the project has developed.
The project has been on road shows across the county at key points in the design enabling wider engagement from service users, carers and staff alongside community events offering local residents opportunities to ask questions and discuss our plans.
Read the latest progress newsletter from construction firm Interserve.
