Rivington Unit reception area gets an upgrade
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust’s (GMMH) Rivington Unit reception was officially reopened last week (18 June 2024) after an extensive refurbishment to ensure our patients, their carers, family and friends have a welcoming entrance to our mental health unit in Bolton.
The project involved a number of improvements, including: creating a new reception area with accessible entrances and improved signage, increasing floor space to create a new seated waiting area; remodelling to include a new spiritual care hub; creating a staff changing area with shower for those who cycle to work; replacing flooring; redecorating; insulating the building; improving the lighting; and soundproofing.
Earlier in the scheme, gardens for inpatients staying at the unit were improved to update these outdoor spaces with new seating areas, tables and bedding boxes with a variety of plants and flowers.
Staff, patients and carers from the unit were involved in the design of the refurb, providing their opinions on colours to be used throughout the scheme to make them softer and more relaxing and what they wanted to see in the reception area and gardens.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for staff, inpatients and their carers on Tuesday 18 June to celebrate the completed refurbished reception area.
Faith Schofield, Bolton’s Operational Services and Performance Manager, said:
The Rivington unit is the location of our mental health inpatient wards and clinics as well as the base for outpatient appointments so it’s really important that the environment people first see is accessible and welcoming.
"Our new and improved reception area, external entrance and inner corridor, as well as the main entrances to Beech and Oak inpatient wards and the gardens, have had a complete refurbishment to create the right first impression. This is a really positive investment in our adult mental health unit and will make a significant difference to our patient and staff environment. We hope the refurbishment will continue with further improvements to our inpatient wards.
