Devon to benefit from major investment in learning disability and autism

The Devon Partnership NHS Trust (DPT) has announced that Devon is one of two locations in the South West that will benefit from a £40.5 million capital investment, if plans are approved by NHS England later this year. The proposal is still being developed but, if the project goes ahead, we will see the opening of two new regional inpatient centres to support adults with a mental health need and a learning disability or autism, whose needs cannot be met on general mental health wards.

For the Devon development, a planning application will be submitted to Teignbridge District Council in early July to build a brand new 10-bed centre on DPT’s Langdon Hospital site in Dawlish, at a cost of around £20 million. If planning permission is granted, and plans are approved by NHS England, the new centre is expected to be opened in 2025.

Sonja Manton, Director of Strategy and Partnerships at DPT, explains:

“We already have a great team of staff providing inpatient care and treatment for up to 5 people with a learning disability at our Additional Support Unit at Whipton Hospital in Exeter. If the plans go ahead as expected, this will remain open until the new 10-bed centre is completed, and people can then be cared for and supported in the new service.

One of our main aims is to provide care closer to home for adults with a mental health need and a learning disability or autism. Currently, around 50—60% of people have to be placed outside the South West for their inpatient care and treatment, because we do not have the facilities locally. This new centre should help bring an end to these long-distance placements, making life better both for the individuals, and for their friends and families.”

We know there are people with learning disabilities, autism and other vulnerabilities for whom, even with reasonable adjustments, the environment of a mainstream hospital cannot provide optimal care and treatment. It is for this group of people that the provision of individual, adaptable, specialist inpatient mental health support is being developed.

We expect to hear the outcome of the planning application during the autumn of 2023. If it is successful, and the project itself gains approval, DPT and the Alliance will keep you updated with developments as we move forward.