Published on: 7 November 2025
His Majesty’s (HM) Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Mrs Elizabeth Fothergill CBE, led a celebration event to mark the official opening of three Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust facilities at the Kingsway Hospital site, Derby – the Carsington Unit, Kingfisher House and Audrey House. The event represents another major milestone in the Trust’s £150 million Making Room for Dignity programme.
The Carsington Unit, which opened to patients in May, provides 54 individual en-suite rooms and a range of therapeutic spaces designed to enhance patient experience and support recovery. The facility is part of the Trust’s commitment to removing dormitory-style accommodation and replacing it with modern, dignified environments for mental health care.
Kingfisher House is a brand-new 14single room male Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (or PICU) providing intensive care for men experiencing acute mental health crises who require a higher level of support than an acute setting. This adjoins the new Carsington Unit and allows for easier ‘step-down care’ as service users' health improves.
Audrey House is a newly refurbished eight single room Enhanced Care Unit (ECU), designed to support women with complex mental health needs in a safe, therapeutic environment. The unit includes single en-suite bedrooms and therapeutic spaces all tailored to support women who may be experiencing high levels of distress.
These developments reflect the Trust’s ongoing investment in creating safe, respectful and person-centred environments across its mental health estate and its commitment to respond to needs of local people in seeking to reduce the need to send patients to inpatient hospitals outside of Derbyshire.
Mrs Fothergill officially opened the unit with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and said:
“It is an honour to formally open the new units in Derby on behalf of His Majesty. These facilities and services are a testament to Derbyshire’s commitment to placing dignity, privacy and recovery at the heart of mental health care. The design and therapeutic features reflect the compassion and dedication of all involved. Today is a celebration of progress and purpose.”
These units join two other facilities already open to patients under the Making Room for Dignity programme, including the Bluebell Ward and Derwent Unit, both in Chesterfield. Together, these facilities represent a transformation in how mental health care is delivered across Derbyshire.
Lynn Andrews, Deputy Trust Chair and Non-Executive Director said:
“The opening of these new units in Derby make for another proud moment for Derbyshire. It’s inspiring to see how far we’ve come – from plans on paper to a fully operational space that supports patients and staff with dignity and purpose. This unit is more than a building; it’s a symbol of our commitment to respectful compassionate care.”
Mark Powell, Chief Executive, led the event, which featured talks on the programme's progress and celebrated the efforts of the Trust’s staff.
Mark Powell said:
“It has been a fantastic day celebrating this huge milestone. These facilities have been shaped by the voices of those who use our services or have loved ones who have needed mental health support from us. They set a new standard for therapeutic environments and are already making a difference to people’s lives. The new units embody what modern mental health care should be – safe, respectful and recovery-focused. The addition of both Kingfisher House and Audrey House mean patients won’t have to travel out-of-area for care and will be closer to their loved ones, which means care is more person-centred and recovery focussed.”
The building and refurbishment programme has been guided by the collaboration of multiple partners and staff members. The updated facilities feature sensory environments and expanded green spaces designed to enhance therapeutic activities.
Service users and carers shared reflections on the day. Sandra Austin, Carer and EQUAL Forum representative at Derbyshire Healthcare, said:
“These new units are a space built with lived experience at their core. These buildings are about creating environments where people feel safe, respected and empowered to heal. It was great to be a part of such a momentous day for Derby and its community it serves.”
