GM Mental Health Trust: Consultations Announced to Transform Rehab Services

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust Announces Consultation on Major Transformation of Rehabilitation Services

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) has announced a consultation on significant proposals to transform its rehabilitation services, designed to improve care for people with complex mental health needs and bring services closer to home. The consultation is open until 13 February 2026. 

The changes support the NHS Long Term Plan and national guidance to modernise mental health rehabilitation services, focusing on a community-first model of care. This approach aims to reduce reliance on inpatient beds wherever possible and provide more support in local communities. We know that people who receive care in the community and closer to home see better outcomes and quality of life. 

Working closely with service users, carers and partners across Greater Manchester, we have developed proposals that include: 

• The creation of 11 new community recovery flats in Trafford and Salford to support independent living and step-down from hospital care, co-located with our Home Engagement and Rehabilitation Teams (HEART) 
• Expansion of the Home Engagement and Rehabilitation Team, doubling capacity from 75 to 150 service users and extending coverage from Manchester and Salford to Bolton. 
• Reconfiguration of inpatient services to improve patient flow and bring care closer to home, including repurposing Fern Ward at North Manchester General Hospital as a 17-bed acute inpatient unit, closing Anson Road Community Rehabilitation Unit in Victoria Park and repurposing Bramley Street in Lower Broughton from an inpatient rehabilitation service to a Level 1 open rehabilitation service for adults. 

These changes will help reduce the need for out-of-area placements, enabling people to stay connected to their families and communities.  A dedicated team will ensure our patients are smoothly discharged home or transferred to appropriate accommodation after rehabilitation. 

Nigel Skillen, Head of Operations Rehab Services at GMMH said: 

“These proposals represent a significant step forward in improving mental health services for our communities. Our focus is on providing care closer to home, supporting independence and ensuring that hospital stays are as positive as possible and last no longer than needed for recovery and wellbeing. These changes are about improving quality, modernising services and delivering great places for care and great places to work. We remain committed to working with service users, carers and partners to deliver safe, high-quality care that meets local needs.” 

Residents of Greater Manchester can have their say by visiting www.gmmh.nhs.uk/have-your-say-on-our-rehabilitation-services.