What staff and service users have to say
Read what staff and service users have to say about North View:
“Park House wasn’t a bad place, but North View is much better. The facilities are much better, and you can spend time in your own room if you want to. I can watch TV or access YouTube to watch sport or listen to the radio. The staff are good people, they do their job properly.”
- Adrian, service user
“You can’t put a price on the support and care that I have been given. This is a mighty fine place to be. It’s nice and private where both your safety and dignity is taken into account.”
- George, service user
"It is very different coming to this brand-new building with all the space and the facilities that it has. Patients have been telling us for weeks that they have been looking forward to this move, some saying it’s like going into a hotel. The environment will be so much better for them and is already helping to reduce the number of incidents we have. We really did our best at Park House but there is only so much you can do in an old building. And while we have been involved in the process of moving from Park House to North View, all the staff have still been doing their jobs; looking after our patients and teaching medical students."
- Dr Afshan Khawaja, Consultant Psychiatrist at North View, who has worked at Park House since 2004
“I am thrilled to lead the team at the new North View kitchen, where the shift to a fresh cook kitchen from regenerated food is a significant improvement for our patients. Our dedicated team delivers high-quality food and service to patients, ward staff, and visitors. The chefs actively engage with service users on the wards, allowing them to receive direct feedback and better understand user needs. This has led to menu adaptations, ensuring all dietary requirements are met. The positive feedback from both service users and ward staff since opening has been overwhelming, and we are committed to maintaining the high standards of food and service at North View.”
- Karolina Morawiec, Food Production Supervisor, Catering Department
“North View feels fresh, full of natural light and improved wellbeing for all staff and service users. The brand-new fixtures and fittings making it much easier to clean and maintain by our team.
“The new facilities management yard where goods are received, and waste compound are fit for purpose. We have a hypochlorous machine showing an innovative approach to cleaning with no chemicals required, which is sustainable and safer for service users. We have new mechanical cleaning equipment and improved well-being and rest facilities for staff.”
- Sam Hemingway, Deputy Facilities Manager, Domestic and Portering Services
“Teamwork makes the dream work and this has been the best three days that I’ve had at work for a long time. I’ve not met a patient that we have helped move across from Park House who’s not wanted to be here once they’ve arrived.”
- Mark Warburton, Recovery Coordinator, who was seconded from the Achieve PMVA (Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression) team to help with the North View move
“In Park House there was a love-hate relationship – the patients would complain about the sharing bays and the lack of privacy. On the escorted visits to North View, before we moved across, they were able to see the rooms and they were really excited about coming over. The feedback from patients has been great. It’s a great environment – much better for the patients and for the staff, the facilities are a great improvement.”
- Aminat Olowookere, a North View support worker
“It's great to hear from service users that the in-house catering is being so well received. Our team engaging directly with patients to gather their preferences not only helps improve the menu but also demonstrates a personalized approach to care. Food is medicine and the role that nutrition plays in recovery and well-being can't be underestimated. “
- Rob Dingle, Catering Manager
“There’s much more space and it’s a much better environment for our service users and we see that in the way that are. It’s much easier now that they have their own rooms.”
- Lisa, support worker
“The personal space at North View gives our patients time to themselves, to be safe and to reflect without feeling they are on top of each other.”
- Jackie Mykoo, Team Assistant Practitioner
“Park House wasn’t fit for purpose anymore and moving here will make a big difference for our service users, providing a much more therapeutic environment for them. The move has been smooth, and it has been really good to have been involved.”
- RMHN Kate Morgan, In-Patient Physical Health Team Lead at North View
“Since coming to North View, the food offering has improved no end. That has a massive impact on patients’ wellbeing.”
“The building is outstanding. It is an inviting space. And relaxing. There is more going on for service users. The surroundings make a big difference to your mental health. “
“The immersive room is amazing.”
“Staff morale is so much better. Staff are smiling and are demonstrably happier. It is obvious in how they look.”
“Colours are more calming.”
“Even when busy it feels calm.”
“This has been meaningful engagement. You have listened. You have been senior staff and that has made a difference. You listen, explain and help us understand.”
- Comments about North View from members of the Service User and Carer Reference Group
Read what staff and service users as well as healthcare leaders have said about North View:
We are incredibly proud to say that North View will be the first all-electric mental health unit in the country. Sustainability and the environment is a huge national agenda, and is something we have been striving to support through the delivery of this project, which can have a significant impact on the health of our communities.
It’s extremely important that we do all we can to support this through the design, build and future operation of our new mental health unit for North Manchester.
Through renewable energy, innovative technology and sustainable materials, we will be able to manage and optimise energy usage and significantly reduce our carbon footprint; whilst maintaining a comfortable, therapeutic environment for our patients, visitors and staff.
- Marc Reed, Associate Director of Capital, Estates and Facilities
It was a pleasure to visit North View and see how our funding is supporting the construction of this state-of-the art mental health unit.
This new facility will provide an appropriate space where people experiencing severe mental illness in the region can receive the care they need. With spacious bedrooms, en-suite shower rooms, gardens and areas for therapeutic work, it will undoubtedly help save and improve lives and support both patients and their loved ones.
North View represents our commitment to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the nation. We’re investing an extra £2.3 billion a year by March 2024 to expand and transform services like this so two million more people get vital support across the country.
- Rt Hon. Steve Barclay, Former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
I was in Park House as an inpatient and they helped me through a lot of issues. I enjoy being involved with this project as I want to help and give back the support I received whilst being a patient at Park House.
The current unit needs to be redeveloped to provide better facilities for patients. The new facility will provide a better level of care and nice surroundings will help to create a positive atmosphere and be more welcoming.
- Danny, Former service user at Park House
Being in Park House really helped me and I made good friends. Many patients say that the current Park House unit is too intimidating.
The designs for the new Park House development look much more homely and welcoming. I’d like to see a bigger garden space with nicer plants, flowers and possibly an outdoor gym space. The new Park House development will provide a much nicer place to be an inpatient and to volunteer at.
- Charlie, Former service user at Park House
Your experience depends on who's in your dormitory. It'd be nice to have more shower rooms. Some people spend a while in the shower, meaning you have to wait a long time.
I'd also love more space to watch television - it can be frustrating fighting over seats!
- Anna, Service User, Park House
The new standard is single rooms with an en-suite - this would be my number one priority.
During the day, there's nowhere to go really. I'd like to see a games room, a library and an IT room where people can learn digital skills.
I'd also like a nice foyer, a cafe, a shop where you could buy newspapers and a lecture room for staff.
- Michael, Service User, Park House
I’m really looking forward to the new development. I’ve looked at the plans in the display room and I think it’ll be so beneficial for service users to have a bright modern room that gives them a private space.
The staff at Park House are so supportive and there’s a real sense of community so this new building will give us all a boost in our working environment.
- Sonia, Occupational Therapist Assistant
I decided to come back as a Peer Mentor because I really liked the empathy of the staff and the way they worked together, even in a difficult environment. But unfortunately, the difficult environment had a really negative impact on my stay.
- Nicola Dalton, Former Service User and Peer Mentor
We've become used to working in discomfort at Park House.
All members of staff here are so passionate and supportive that we make it work. But there's a constant underlying pressure as a result of the facilities. Imagine what that energy could be spent on with better facilities!
- Sheila Hill, Former Inpatient Manager at Park House
At the moment, the layout of the building is a challenge.
We need a building that feels like a hub, rather than a hospital. A place that is therapeutic outside and in.
This'll aid recovery and help destigmatise mental health in the community.
- Nigel Hird, Former Park House Operations Manager
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