The High Sheriff and his wife were given an enlightened tour of the new Redwood Centre in Shrewsbury, built on the site of the old Shelton Hospital, and now part of the Mental Health South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. 

It was officially opened in September this year by Mr Steve Jones, chairman of ‘SSSHF NHS’ at a cost of £45 million. The centre provides 80 adult mental health beds for Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin, and 23 low secure beds for the West Midlands. The whole project is part of a 50 year plan to modernise mental health care provision for people living in the county.

What the High Sheriff saw on his guided tour of the centre was a bright, airy, welcoming building, providing modern facilities for patients from shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. It certainly had a ‘cutting edge’ about it!  He was shown round by Chief Executive Mr Neil Carr, OBE, who is a driving force in the integration of the Centre with Shropshire Healthcare. Born in the North East of England, Mr Carr completed his postgraduate studies in public sector management before turning his energies to meet the needs of a fast-moving, complex society. These insights have driven him to become one of the foremost nurse leaders in the country. Neil has championed consultant nurses, nurse prescribers, advanced nurse practitioners and nurse-led services, which led to an invitation to advise former Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Health Secretary John Reid.  Mr Carr was awarded the OBE for his services to Health Care and Nursing in 2005. He was hugely inspiring to listen to and there was no hiding the pride he feels for the new centre and its future!