A new psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) for children is opening up job opportunities in Oxford.

The Meadow Unit is currently being built at the Warneford Hospital site in Headington by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and is due to open in the summer.

Oxford Health is a hospital trust that provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties.

Oxford Mail: The Meadow UnitThe Meadow Unit (Image: Martin Crabtree)

The Meadow Unit will enable young people experiencing acute mental health disorders to receive specialist help closer to home.

The trust is currently looking to recruit nurses, support workers and administration staff to work in the new facility.

 

Oxford Health’s chief nurse, Marie Crofts said: “Now is also a really exciting time as we work towards the opening of the Meadow Unit for anyone seeking a new role in mental health as we have some great opportunities.

“To anyone thinking of applying to work at the Meadow Unit, I would say that it’s a great chance to be in at the beginning helping to build the service and the team.

“You will be working with a small number of young people at a vitally important time in their mental health recovery.”

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In the £6m building, patients will have access to highly specialised professionally qualified staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

There will be a range of activities, therapy and treatment provided to the children and young people in need of help.

The staff will be at the forefront of providing this specialist care in range of roles from medical staff to education staff.

 

Tom Lankester, CAHMS PICU unit ward manager said: “Applying for a job at the PICU is a fantastic opportunity to develop yourself, develop your skills and also embark on a future career in mental health.

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“The PICU itself is a brand-new service and you will be involved in building a service from the ground up and being able to leave your mark and leave your print on something that is going to be around for many years to come.

Sam Lloyd White, clinical psychologist said: “I think it’s a really lovely team, we are really welcoming, we are really up for new ideas and it’s a chance to be part of something new and shape it how you would like.

“It’s also a hugely rewarding patient group to be part of- you get a lot back from working with young people especially at these really difficult times.”

To find out more about joining the Meadow Unit team, Oxford Health are hosting a recruitment day on February 25.