Building design


£10 million autism unit to ‘transform’ patient care


Paul Yeomans, a director at Medical Architecture, discusses the imagination, thought, and highly effective collaboration that went into the design of a new adult autism inpatient unit at Morpeth’s Northgate Hospital, reportedly the UK’s first building specifically created for this service-user group.


Mitford is an adult autism inpatient unit located on the Northgate Hospital site in Morpeth, designed and built for Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust. Opened in December 2016, it provides 24-hour inpatient support and treatment for up to 15 adults with severely complex autistic spectrum disorders. Designed by Medical Architecture and built by Kier under ProCure21+, it is the first building in


the UK specifically created for this service-user group, and is a pioneering project, requiring client-driven design standards. The building includes residential accommodation for up to 15 adults, in single and shared flats within the four ‘fingers’ of accommodation. There are eight single-person flats for the most complex and challenging service-users. The remainder of the accommodation is divided into two 2-person flats and one 3-person flat, for the service-users who are more able to socialise and are being prepared to leave the unit. The typical care pathway for these patients involves a stay of 18 months to two years, during which individual stimuli and appropriate therapies are identified, before they return to the community.


Designed by Medical Architecture and built by Kier under ProCure21+, the Mitford Adult Autism Inpatient Unit is reportedly the UK’s first building specifically created for this service-user group.


BUSINESS CASE’S CONCLUSIONS The business case highlighted the correlation between the environment and positive patient outcomes and best value services for people with autism. Evidence shows that those that end


up in the wrong environment or the wrong service find their condition exacerbated, inevitably resulting in an increase in challenging or disturbed behaviour, which can in turn culminate in increased levels of risk and the inability of provider services or carers to cope. After only a few months of opening, the building and clinical environment at Mitford have enabled improved care provision, and are having a hugely positive impact on the patients. As ward manager, Pamela McIntyre, puts it: “Staff are witnessing huge impacts on quality of life. Seeing a mother reacting to her son having his first incident-free day in seven years is very rewarding.”


STRATEGIC VISION


The new autism unit has only been operational since December 2016, but early evidence suggests that Mitford is delivering on the Trust’s


key objectives, which included: l Improving the quality of clinical care for service-users by delivering a fully integrated service in a purpose-built environment.


l Reflecting a national agenda and the Winterbourne principles, including a focused admission and treatment pathway of 18 months, and early multi-agency discharge planning into an appropriate community placement.


l Incorporating best practice from around the world, and becoming a ‘leading edge’ national autism service.


l Enhancing the facilities for research and development to provide a national centre of excellence.


l Building a sustainable commercial model to ensure that the capital costs of the building are recuperated over an eight-year period.


TRANSFORMING BEHAVIOUR AND MOOD One staff member said: “In the old building there was one patient who used to live in self- imposed isolation and crawled everywhere. Within a week of moving into Mitford he was having a drink with staff in one of the offices.” A recent visitor, meanwhile, commented: “The design is innovative, forward-thinking, cutting edge, and sets the standard. It is uncomplicated in appearance, but sophisticated in its design solutions.”


CONTEXT An artist’s impression of the new Mitford Unit, which is located on the Northgate Hospital site in Morpeth.


The design of Mitford has created a calm and protective setting that helps ensure the comfort and privacy of its residents, while responding sensitively to the existing established features


THE NETWORK JANUARY 2018 9


©Medical Architecture


©Medical Architecture


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