It will be able to support up to 10 patients at any time, with the building specifically intended for those whose needs cannot be met by existing hospital or community-based services. With completion set for 2025, the unit will help keep people much closer to home and reduce the need for patients to be admitted to facilities far away from their family and friends.
Ben Stunnel is an autism peer mentor whose lived experience, along with that of others with the condition, helped to influence the design of the new build. He said: "It has been very rewarding and confidence building to have our thoughts and ideas listened to and it will be very exciting to see the building going up and taking shape knowing that we've contributed so much. I really hope that in future many people and families will benefit from what this new building can offer."
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The new Bristol unit will be run by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust and complements another similar facility currently under construction in Devon.
Laura Ambler, Executive Lead for Learning Disabilities and Autism, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board: "When fully open in 2025, this site will be a fantastic addition to our existing mental health services, and I know from speaking with local people that having something like this based in our region will make an enormous difference to those who may have otherwise needed to have travelled significant distances for the right care and treatment."
