New extra care area at Crawley hospital planned

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has established a need for a new de-escalation and seclusion suite at Langley Green Hospital.

According to a planning application submitted to Crawley Borough Council: “Seclusion is an emergency measure for the management of violent or self destructive behaviour. It involves the involuntary confinement of the patient alone in a room or area where the patient is physically prevented from leaving.

“It can only be used for the management of violent behaviour that jeopardizes the immediate physical safety of the patient, a staff member, or others.

“Seclusion is used in circumstances when a patient is temporarily unable to control impulses or surges of emotion leading to behaviour that might harm someone else.”

The new extension would be built in a semi-enclosed internal courtyard space between the Amber and Opal wards, just north of the hospital entrance.

It would include an en-suite seclusion room, staff observation area, de-escalation space and private external spaces.

To comment on the planning application visit crawley.gov.uk/planning using code CR/2020/0533/FUL.