Plymouth ageing population means hospital revamp
It has been announced that a Plymouth hospital will be redeveloped to address the increasing demand for rehabilitation and mental health services
To better meet the community’s needs, Livewell Southwest and University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP) are transforming Mount Gould Hospital into a Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation and Ageing Well.
This reconfiguration is designed to address the growing demand for rehabilitation and mental health services, aligning with national healthcare goals and the evolving needs of the local population. Meaning wards for general rehabilitation at Mount Gould will merge and wards for stroke rehabilitation and male mental health rehabilitation will be expanded.
Mark Hackett, interim chief executive of University Hospitals Plymouth, and Michelle Thomas, chief executive of Livewell Southwest, both stated:
"This is an opportunity to make the Mount Gould footprint a major community site for our patients"
The changes are expected to reduce the patient capacity on Derriford Hospital, with around 1,000 outpatient appointments a year at the new centre, said health chiefs
Livewell South West says: "As our community grows older, there is an increasing need for specialised care models that support patients in community or home settings"
The trust said the revamp aims to promote home-based recovery, tackle shortages of stroke and mental health beds, and prepare for a 20% increase in the ageing population over the next ten years.
As the wider community grows older, there is an increasing need for specialised care models that support patients in community or home settings.