10 February 2021

SPICU at Thomas Embling Hostital wins at European Healthcare Design Awards

MAAP's Secure Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit at Thomas Embling Hospital has been awarded Best Mental Health Project in the International category at the European Healthcare Design Awards in 2020.

The SPICU was designed to meet the episodic needs of high risk mentally ill patients transferred from prison with secure humane containment and facilities for therapeutic engagement, potentially separate to other patients.

The facility provides residential accommodation for the stabilisation of patients alongside carefully planned day spaces, de-escalation, seclusion and treatment rooms, and secure patient courtyards near staff offices and support spaces.

The team were involved in developing the model of care and functional brief through an intensive user engagement process. The unit is located to engage with long views beyond the secure campus boundary and provides access to gardens.