Knockbracken Healthcare Park

Knockbracken Healthcare Park (32)

Knockbracken Healthcare Park is a healthcare facility located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is managed by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and provides a range of mental health services.

History

The facility was originally established as the Belfast District Asylum in 1895. It was designed by George Thomas Hine, a prominent architect known for his work on asylums. The asylum was built to alleviate overcrowding at the Lunatic Asylum, Belfast.

In the 1920s, the facility was renamed the Purdysburn Villa Colony and later became known as Purdysburn Hospital. During this period, it expanded its services to include treatment for a variety of mental health conditions.

In the 1980s, the hospital underwent significant changes as part of the Care in the Community initiative, which aimed to reduce the number of long-term patients in psychiatric hospitals. This led to the development of more community-based mental health services.

Current Services

Knockbracken Healthcare Park now offers a wide range of mental health services, including:

• Inpatient care
• Outpatient care
• Day care services
• Community mental health services
• Specialist services for conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression

The facility also provides training and education for healthcare professionals specializing in mental health.

Facilities

The healthcare park is situated on a large campus with several buildings dedicated to different aspects of mental health care. These include:

• The Knockbracken Hall, which houses administrative offices and meeting rooms
• The Beechcroft Unit, a modern facility for child and adolescent mental health services
• The Shannon Clinic, a medium secure unit for patients requiring a higher level of security

Future Developments

Plans are underway to further modernize the facilities at Knockbracken Healthcare Park. This includes the construction of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing ones to better meet the needs of patients and staff.

Related Pages

• Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
• Care in the Community
• Mental health in the United Kingdom
• Lunatic Asylum, Belfast
• George Thomas Hine