Mitford is located on the existing Northgate Hospital site in Morpeth providing 24 hour support and treatment for adults with complex and severe autistic spectrum disorders. It is the first building in the UK specifically designed for this patient group and is a pioneering project, requiring sector-leading, client driven design standards.

The building includes residential accommodation for up to 15 adults, in single and shared flats within the four ‘fingers’ of accommodation. There are 8 single-person flats for the most complex and challenging service users. The remainder of the accommodation is divided into two 2-person flats and one 3-person flat, for the service users who are more able to socialise and are being prepared to leave the unit. The typical care pathway for these patients involves a stay of 18 months – two years, during which individual stimuli and appropriate therapies are identified, before returning to the community.

Download: Mitford Unit case study – Kier