New space opens at Wythenshawe Hospital to help people in mental health crisis
‘The Southmoor Suite’ is a dedicated space for patients experiencing a mental health crisis who present at the Emergency Department at of Wythenshawe hospital.
Run by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) and developed in partnership with Manchester Foundation NHS Trust (MFT), the Suite is a purpose-built mental health assessment area, providing a calm and comfortable environment for people in a mental health crisis, as part of the Trust’s main Emergency Department.
The area will be staffed by mental health professionals who will be able to complete mental health assessments and signpost people to the most appropriate treatment or service.
Having this dedicated area means that patients will be able to receive the right mental health care at the right time, whilst reducing demand on the Emergency Department. The area was developed collaboratively with people with lived experience of mental health difficulties and their carers.
The Southmoor Suite held an opening event on Friday 13 December 2024. Amongst those attending was Member of Parliament for Wythenshawe and Sale East, Mike Kane, alongside staff who will be working in the area, and members of the Executive Management Teams at GMMH and MFT.
Declan Meehan, Interim Urgent Care Service Manager for South & Central Manchester at GMMH, said:
"We are thrilled to announce the official opening of the Southmoor Suite at Wythenshawe Hospital.
“This purpose-built space is designed to provide a calm and supportive environment for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, offering an alternative to the often-overwhelming Emergency Department.
“The Southmoor Suite’s proximity to the Emergency Department ensures that individuals in distress have access to a specialised environment tailored to their needs and allows the GMMH Liaison team to provide rapid assessments in a dedicated space.
“We are grateful for the invaluable support and collaboration of our colleagues at Manchester Foundation NHS Trust, who worked closely with our team to develop a resource that will make a meaningful difference to those presenting in mental health crisis.”
Mike Kane, MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East, said:
“I was honoured to launch the opening of the Southmoor Suite and to meet the fantastic staff who will be working there and were involved in making this project happen.
“It is great to see that the NHS are recognising the need for access to improved and fit for purpose mental health services.
“The Southmoor Suite is a important addition to Wythenshawe Hospital and the local area that it serves. I am particularly impressed that this space has been developed in collaboration with people who have experienced mental health difficulties, so that it can best support those who may need it in future.”
