Dorset HealthCare is hoping to build a new psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) for children and young people in Alumhurst Road in Bournemouth, but before it submits the plan to BCP Council it would like to hear the views of local people.

A public engagement event is being held at 49, Alumhurst Road from 4.30-7.30pm on Monday 5 September.

The Government-funded development would form part of local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), and mean that seriously ill young people could be cared for locally instead of being sent for specialist treatment elsewhere – potentially hundreds of miles from family and friends.

Hundreds of leaflets have been delivered to local residents in nearby roads to encourage attendance, to not only see the plans but also hear first-hand from those helping to deliver the scheme. There will be the chance to talk with the architect, developers, patient representatives, clinical representatives and the project management team.

Kristin Dominy, chief operating officer and deputy chief at Dorset HealthCare, said:

“Demand for mental health support among young people is growing and the new PICU would be a major step forward for local services – benefiting not only young people with serious mental health problems but also their families in the Dorset area.

“This is an excellent opportunity for local residents to view and influence the designs, and to provide feedback before we move forward with our planning application. We would love to see as many people as possible there.”

At the event members of the public will also be invited to consider possible names for the new building.

For those unable to attend a dedicated web page is being launched at www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk on 6 September, featuring all information to be shared at the event.