In December 2023, the board at Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) agreed a proposal for a long-term solution for the inpatient mental health services previously provided at the George Bryan Centre.

The proposal was developed through a programme of work by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT), who had provided the services at the George Bryan Centre until its temporary closure in 2019, and the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System (ICS).

During the work to find a long-term solution, conversations were held with patients, families, the public and staff about the proposals that were being considered. In late 2021, it was recommended that there was a single viable (practical and possible) proposal, and this was the subject of a public consultation that ran from 9 February to 23 March 2023. You can read the main report of findings of the consultation or the summary report of findings.

Why we reviewed our inpatient mental health services

We wanted to make sure we are following national best practice in mental healthcare – which is for patients to receive mental health support in the community wherever possible. This is based on clinical evidence that shows that most patients have the best outcomes (the best experience and the best chance of recovery) if mental healthcare is given in the community, rather than in hospital, wherever appropriate.

We wanted to find a long-term solution for the inpatient services previously provided at the George Bryan Centre in south east Staffordshire. The George Bryan Centre provided 19 beds for adults with severe mental illness in its West Wing, and 12 beds for older adults with dementia and/or other mental health problems in its East Wing.

The centre was temporarily closed after a fire destroyed the West Wing in 2019. Patients who were in the West Wing at the time of the fire were moved to St George’s Hospital in Stafford. A short time afterwards, patients from the East Wing were moved to the most suitable setting for their needs.

The proposal accepted by the ICB Board

Two proposals were considered during the work to find a long-term solution for the beds previously provided at the George Bryan Centre. Only one proposal was considered viable to be taken forward for consultation. This was to make permanent the changes made in 2019.

• Patients who need inpatient treatment are admitted to St George’s Hospital in Stafford. This is for adults of any age experiencing a severe mental illness or dementia, who need intensive medical supervision and treatment in hospital
• Wherever possible, patients are treated at home, supported by the enhanced community mental health services
• Distinct enhanced services are provided for adults of any age with a severe mental illness and for the population with dementia.

This proposal was accepted by the ICB Board in December 2023.

For detailed information about the journey to reach the proposal, please visit our page on the 2023 consultation, where you can find the consultation document, which is also available in accessible format. On the same page you will also be able to find the full business case developed to support the proposal, and information about involvement activities between 2019 and 2021.