FIRST TREATMENT ROOMS UNVEILED AT KINGFISHER COURT

The new £42 million facility for people suffering from mental health problems in Radlett has been partially opened to start treatment. Kingfisher Court on Harper Lane opened its first two wards on Friday, June 20 ready for patients to be brought over from Watford General Hospital’s Essex Ward. Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) provides mental health and specialist learning disability services across Hertfordshire and the new centre aims to bring “privacy and dignity to the service users.” Chris Lawrence the new chairman at HPFT said: “This astonishing place has taken years of work and the impact of the setting is something which is important” The opening unveiled a wooden sculpture of a Kingfisher, made out the fur trees which were cut down to clear the site. Paul Simmans, a representative from the service user council and Lynn Burling, a representative from the care council were asked to cut the ribbon on the statue as they were heavily involved with the art work in the building. The second phase of the building is due to open later this year.