Introduction

Alpha Hospital Bury provides a highly specialist service for Deaf male patients with an intellectual or Learning Disability that is both culturally and linguistically appropriate.

Alpha Hospital Bury is located on the outskirts of Bury Town Centre and is within close proximity to Manchester City Centre. 

Service Team
The service has an experienced Multi-disciplinary Team with a diverse skill mix including Learning Disability trained staff, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, Communication Team, Mental Health Support Workers; Ward Activity Facilitator, Occupational Therapist, Interpreters, Eco-therapist, Teacher for the Deaf, Access to Substance Misuse Councillor and Nurse Therapists specialising in a unique treatment programme for sex offenders.

Philosophy
The care given on this unit will be delivered in a manner reflecting the needs of the individuals; the patients will be offered the dignity and respect as adults, striving to attain their highest level of functioning within their environment. Staff will proactively encourage and support all the patients to attain inclusion within the hospital and the wider society.

Their care will be based on a humanistic approach and through dignity and respect, regardless of race ethnicity, gender, creed or level of ability, will be delivered in a sensitive manner.

Care is provided through a multi disciplinary Team approach with the client central to this process promoting autonomy and choice where possible. Clinically safe and ethically sound, underpinned by the guidelines within the code of practice of the Mental Health Act 1983, HCC, MHAC and “Valuing People” a Department of Health White Paper produced in 2001 that focused on people with Learning Disabilities and their inclusion into local communities; choice in daily life and promotion of independence.

As a specialised Learning Disability service  we provide care to individuals who are Deaf and require a secure and safe environment. Staff will reflect this in their practice – all staff, Deaf and hearing, will promote the use of British Sign Language in all areas of the unit and in such a manner that provides inclusion both to staff and patients.

As a medium secure hospital, staff will follow the policies and procedures in a responsible manner; this will provide a safe environment based on equality and equity for everyone.

The Environment
The Environment is safe, secure and spacious, the features are not imposing or intrusive and the location affords easy access for family and carers by public or private transport.

Accommodation and facilities include:

• Individual bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms to afford patient’s privacy and dignity
• Recreational, group and dining facilities
• Access to an attractive safe, secure outdoor garden
• Dedicated therapy areas including a multi-sensory room
• Access to a fully equipped modern gymnasium
• Access to workshop facilities

Admission Criteria

• Patients must be men, aged 18-65.
• Patients may have been diagnosed as suffering from an Intellectual or Learning Disability including Asperger’s Syndrome; Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
• Patients must be detained under the Mental Health Act (1983)

Focus of Care

• Rehabilitation phase.
• Through structured interventions the clinical team will strive to lower the risk of reoccurrence of those behaviours that have previously caused others concern.
• Antecedents and causal factors for behaviours that bring the patient into conflict with others are identified and appropriate intentions are made.
• Patients are empowered to maximize responsibility for their own care.
• In some patients the focus may be on quality of life rather than rehabilitation.
• Assessment of needs ongoing.
• Relapse prevention.
• Recovery model.

Community Access
Patient’s re-integration into the community through care planning is encouraged and supported through access to local colleges in Bolton and Rochdale.  Independence is also promoted with patients obtaining their own travel pass; gym and library cards to access community facilities and enhance life skills.  Cultural and linguistic needs have been met on an individual basis with links being forged for patients to access appropriate churches; mosques, local religious centres, Deaf priest’s, Independent Advocates and  Deaf clubs.

Care Planning/Pathway

• Structured programme with the patient central to the care planning process
• Focus on recovery or long term support needs.
• Collaborate with other professionals, e.g. organisations working with Deaf people, General Practitioners; Mental Health Teams and Solicitors.
• Promotion of life skills including personal hygiene and integration with the community with the service and the local community.
• Individual programme for each patient.

For further information or to arrange a visit and meet the clinical team, please contact Lisa Mullineux, Head of Business Development, Alpha Hospitals on or via email at

Location Maps