A community rehabilitation centre for older people leaving hospital is to become a home for young people with mental health needs.
The proposed change to Knoll House, in Ingram Crescent West, in Hove, was announced today (Tuesday 3 September) by Brighton and Hove City Council.
An initial decision about the proposed change is expected to be made next week by the council’s Health and Wellbeing Board.
The council said: “A proposal to change the kind of care delivered at Knoll House adult social care centre will be considered at a meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board on Tuesday 10 September.
“Knoll House is expected to become available soon for new council services.
“The changing needs of the city’s residents mean there is now a focus on prioritising mental health services.
“The plan is for Knoll House to deliver either
- lower level supported accommodation for younger adults with mental health needs to help them live more independently or
- accommodation for young people with higher levels of mental health needs but who do not require hospital treatment
“Knoll House, along with the council’s base at Craven Vale, in Brighton, currently delivers therapy and rehabilitation services for older people coming out of hospital with lower level needs.
“The nursing care at both centres was until recently provided by the local NHS.
“But health and social care needs locally and across the country are changing.
“More and more people are leaving hospital with high levels of complex needs and needing nursing care 24-7.
“There has also been a big increase in the number of younger adults with mental health needs who need residential care.
“Knoll House and Craven Vale are not best placed to deliver these higher levels of care.
“So earlier this year the NHS told the council it was going to stop delivering nursing care at the centres, and deliver their rehabilitation services in other ways.
“The NHS have assured us there will be no reduction in the capacity or quality of their rehabilitation services.
“However, as a result both Craven Vale and Knoll House are not able to admit as many people and are currently operating well below capacity.
