First major new mental health hospital built in Surrey for 90 years opens

The first major mental health hospital building to be erected in Surrey for more than 90 years has opened its doors.

The new development of Farnham Road Hospital in Guildford by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has cost £30 million. It is the first large-scale, purpose-built mental health building to be unveiled in Surrey since West Park Hospital in Epsom in 1924.

Farnham Road Hospital has 60 acute psychiatric beds across four adult mental health wards. People staying on the wards have their own en-suite bathrooms, providing privacy and dignity. They also have access to a range of therapeutic and recreational areas for art and craft, music, drama and fitness as well as touch-screen technology to aid therapy and provide entertainment. All wards provide direct access to either an outdoor terrace or garden.

Fiona Edwards, chief executive of Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said:  “The opening of Farnham Road Hospital… is a momentous step for our Trust. This state-of-the-art building has been an ambition of ours for many years. A great deal of thought has gone into this development to make sure we will be able to provide those who need to be in hospital with the most modern of mental health treatments, delivered in an environment which has been specifically designed with the needs of those with mental ill-health in mind.

“As an organisation, we continue to focus our efforts on early intervention and prevention, working with many local partners – including schools, GPs and third sector organisations – to develop community services that help people stay well and out of hospital. 

“It is crucial however that when someone needs more intensive support in a hospital setting that we can provide them with 21st century care in a 21st century environment and I am incredibly proud to now offer this excellent mental health facility to people across Surrey and North East Hampshire.”

Farnham Road Hospital has three acute mental health wards and one psychiatric intensive care ward, which will treat people who need to be in hospital. But is also the base for the South West Surrey Home Treatment Team, which provides those who are able to stay at home with intensive mental health support so that they do not need to be admitted to hospital. The team also works with those staying in hospital to arrange timely discharge.

The new hospital also has two assessment suites where police, ambulance staff and the Home Treatment Team can bring people to a place of safety for an assessment of their mental health. These individual suites have en-suite toilets and access to outside space.