Images of stark, grey institutionalised drabness have been swept away at Runwell Hospital - thanks to the decorator's paintbrush and some inspired imagination.
The first phase of a £1.7 million project to transform living conditions for seriously-ill patients in the Plashet wards has just been unveiled.
Gone, are the pastel colours and hardboard partitions which paid only lip-service to the concept of patients' dignity and privacy.
They have been replaced by individual rooms, some with en-suite toilets and showers.
Plashet 1, which provides intensive care for patients who are potentially a danger to themselves and others, has shed its old name along with its old layout. It has been re-named Belfairs.
Patients usually stay a week in the ward, although consultant psychiatrist Dr Helen Stuart says it can be as little as a few hours, or as much as several months.
Only two features which mark the block out as a secure unit, rather than a swish home.
The tall wire mesh enclosing the all-weather recreation area is unmistakeable and there is still a stark "seclusion facility", where patients can be restrained safely.
Ward manager, Gary Wright, stressed the room had only been used once in the past two years.
"We have a violent and disturbed patient group on this ward. Most are very psychotic, and quite a lot are under the influence of drugs and alcohol when they are brought in against their will.
"It will be interesting to see if the incident level reduces in the new surroundings, which are quite unhospital-like."
He is a firm believer people respect their environment more if it is clean and welcoming.
The ward has seating areas, a games room, TV lounge, special family area and computer room, as well as a garden with tables and chairs.
Medwyn Williams, interim director of nursing for Southend Community Care Service Trust said: "This is light years better than it was and now probably the most modern intensive care facility in the country."
Renamed Belfairs - ward manager Gary Wright
ROBIN WOOSEY
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