Health Minister Robbie Butler visits Lisburn adult learning centre which is a first of its kind at Thompson House Hospital
A new chapter in specialist care has been showcased as Health Minister, Robbie Butler, MLA, visited Lisburn’s Thompson House Hospital’s Linen Lodge, a bespoke facility to support adults with a learning disability with complex needs.
Linen Lodge is the first residential community assessment and treatment model in the Region.
The unit is a six-bedded facility, where adults with a learning disability can access short – to medium-term assessment and treatment, delivered by a dedicated multidisciplinary team.
The Health Minister was given a guided tour of the purpose-built facility and spent time with staff who have been involved in the project from the very beginning.
The project has been two years in the making and has been designed to ensure that everyone receives the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
The service is underpinned by a Positive Behaviour Support approach, with a strong focus on improving quality of life, promoting independence and supporting individuals to return to their community as soon as it is clinically appropriate.
Speaking during the visit, Health Minister, Robbie Butler, MLA said: “I am very proud of the transformation that has taken place here, on this particular footprint of the hospital, Linen Lodge.
“Learning disability is a real passion of mine and it is great to see that the Service User has been central to the design of this unit within the hospital site.
“I am excited at how this could transform the lives of some of the most vulnerable members of our society.”
South Eastern Trust, Assistant Director of Adult Learning Disability Services, Robyn Lennox said Linen Lodge “will provide an important step-down pathway from hospital back into community living.
“Linen Lodge represents a major step forward in how we support people with learning disabilities, providing a modern, community assessment and treatment facility that is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland.
“This innovative service reflects our commitment to delivering care closer to home.”
Robyn explained how the facility has been designed to provide early intervention and preventative support, helping to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions, reduce crisis and enable individuals to remain within their own homes and communities wherever possible.
She added: “This development is a key element of our stepped-care approach and supports the wider shift towards neighbourhood-based services, bringing specialists assessment and treatment closer to the communities that we serve.”
“Linen Lodge is an exciting and ambitious initiative which aligns closely with the vision and priorities set out in the Draft Learning Disability Service Model for Northern Ireland.”
Robyn added: “We look forward to the service becoming fully commissioned and operational, and to the Minister seeing first-hand the enormous potential Linen Lodge has to improve outcomes, enhance quality of life and provide better support for people with learning disabilities and their families.”
South Eastern Trust Assistant Director of Estates Services, Jonathan Bradshaw added: “This has been a £2 million pound investment from the Trust to reuse and upgrade this existing space at Thompson House.
