Cygnet Newham House

Opening summer 2020 for women affected by acquired brain injuries (ABI) or functional neurological disorders. It is a safe and secure place to aid recovery as well as offering those diagnosed with a progressive neurological disease like Huntington’s Disease, a longer term placement to support and help manage the progression of their symptoms.

The hospital is a modern, purpose built facility that has been designed specifically to provide a clinically led evidence based neuropsychiatric pathway for those individuals presenting with behaviours that challenge as a result of their ABI or neurological insult.

Our focus is to create a therapeutic rich environment which engages our service users and offers them the opportunity to maximise their independence. Each of the 12 bedrooms include an en-suite bathroom to support service users privacy.

We provide a resource intensive neuropsychiatry interdisciplinary team dedicated to the service users at Cygnet Newham House. Our person centred approach puts the individual at the centre of their treatment and discharge planning. The service offers a wide range of activities and facilities to promote independent function.

Positive behaviour goals are focused on discharge planning to support service users to return to community living – either with support or independently. The 8 transitional beds sit within two separate bungalows, offering an on-site structured community reintegration pathway, overseen by the same clinical team as within the hospital setting.

Our interdisciplinary team:

• Neuropsychiatrist/Psychiatrist
• Neuropsychologist/Psychologist
• Occupational Therapist
• Speech and Language Therapist
• Physiotherapist
• Clinical Hospital Manager
• Therapy Coordinator
• Nurses across RMN/RGN/RNLD disciplines
• Support Workers
• GP cover from local practice

Our service user profile:

• Women aged 18+ affected by a neurological condition where challenging behaviour is the leading impairment
• Women with complex presentations who could have co morbid mental health diagnoses, neurological or non-epileptic seizures
• May be detained under the Mental Health Act, informal or subject to DoLS
• May have a forensic history
• With a diagnosis of:
  • Established or suspected Acquired Brain Injury including those sustained through trauma, anoxia, stroke, tumour, virus or infection
  • Established or suspected neurodegenerative condition including Huntington’s Disease
  • Specialist Dementia e.g. Frontotemporal Dementia
  • Korsakoff ’s syndrome or other substance abuse related brain injury
  • Established or suspected Functional Neurological Disorder manifesting with behavioural, sensory, memory, fatigue, concentration or motor deficits
• Presenting symptoms may include:
  • Dysphasia or other communication problems
  • Dysphagia with or without the requirement of PEG support/modified diets
  • Moderate to severe cognitive impairment
  • Mobility impairments
• Presenting symptoms may include:
  • Psychiatric disorders including psychoses
  • Post-ictal psychosis
  • Organic personality disorder

Our facilities:

• En-suite individual bedrooms
• Therapy kitchen and additional therapy spaces
• Dining room
• Communal lounge
• Quiet room
• Fully equipped gym
• IT room
• Multi-functional outdoor space including gardens
• Accessible bathrooms
• On-site laundry facilities
• Specific dietary needs met by our in-house catering team