By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
‘High demand’ is expected for a new private mental health hospital being built in Nottinghamshire.
Work has started on the 44-bed new Cygnet Hospital Sherwood, in Rainworth, near Mansfield, which will also bring more than 100 jobs to the area.
Cygnet says it is expecting ‘high demand’ for the new hospital following an increase in people suffering with their mental health after the pandemic.
The 44-bed private hospital, in Rainworth, will be an extension to the existing Cygnet Health Care site on Rufford Colliery Lane in the village. It will support men and women in a non-secure unit.
It will be run by Cygnet Health Care, which has contracts with the NHS across the country. Newark and Sherwood District Council approved the plans in April 2022.
Regional Manager Ricky Holland told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “At the Sherwood site we are seeing what the needs are for today, and looking forward to the near future.
“The demand is ever-increasing and we’ve underestimated the need in the past.
“The pandemic will really impact people’s anxieties.
“We’ve got two hospitals already but if someone needs a short stay to manage a mental health breakdown, you really struggle to find them.
“It’s the last resort to bring people into hospital but when they are, they need the best treatment in the shortest possible time.
“I’m a mental health nurse and it helps when patients are closer to home and they can get visitations – it helps shorten your stay in hospital.”
Cygnet says the centre will bring more than 100 jobs including healthcare professionals, clinicians, nurses, catering, domestic and administrative roles, as well as drawing upon local resources for construction.
The building work has now begun and it is expected the hospital will be open to patients by the end of 2023.
Currently, Cygnet Sherwood Lodge and Cygnet Sherwood House operate from the site and both are rated outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The site will include onsite car parking, a garden, en-suite bedrooms, therapy rooms, a multi-faith room, a gym, treatment rooms, hair salon, communal lounge, dining room, quiet lounge, and meeting rooms.
Dr Tony Romero, CEO of Cygnet Health Care, added: “We know that the pandemic has had a huge impact on people’s mental health and it is anticipated that an extra 500,000 people across the UK will experience mental health difficulties because of Covid-19.
“The current demand nationally is surging and with that increase in need for specialist mental health services, we want to be part of the solution and work together with the NHS to provide the best treatment and facilities to help people on their recovery journey.
“The service at Cygnet Hospital Sherwood will bring mental health treatment closer to home for many people, improving their quality of care, and reducing their length of stay in hospital.”
