Psychiatric intensive care unit for women to open

The first NHS intensive care unit for women with serious mental health needs in Kent and Medway is due to open.

Women in the region will have access to a dedicated NHS psychiatric intensive care unit for the first time, following a £4.63m investment by Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust.

The 10-bed facility at Littlestone Lodge in Dartford will provide short-term, intensive care for women experiencing serious mental health difficulties who need extra support.

Dr Afifa Qazi, chief medical officer for the trust, said the opening was an important step forward and that until now women needing intensive care and support "have not been able to receive this specialist care from our team".