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Newport Mental Health Hub Inches Closer As Demand Grows

A mental health hub for Islanders in the centre of Newport is a step closer.

The integrated mental health care hub will offer a range of support from Newport High Street, as demand grows for services after the Covid pandemic.

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust recently took over the former HMV and Poundland store as a place to make some of its mental health services more accessible and allow people to find out more.

It is also hoped the more centralised, public location would destigmatise mental health by providing a service outside of St Mary’s Hospital or other healthcare settings.

The hub plan was unveiled over a year ago following concerns about how to get Islanders talking about their mental health.

The care hub will provide primary care support, specialist services and spaces for local communities as well as consultation and clinics.

The trust has recently seen increasing pressures on its mental health services with a pattern now emerging of people presenting later in their illness when they are more acutely unwell.

As part of the transformation plans, submitted to the Isle of Wight Council, a lift would be added to make all three floors accessible, new windows and doors will be installed as well as a rooftop plant room enclosure.

Planners say as the building would accommodate visiting mental health patients it was important the windows provide as much natural light as possible to provide an open and calm atmosphere.

You can view the plans, 22/00738/FUL, on the council’s planning register. Comments can be submitted until May 27.

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