Do you have an interest in mental health, human rights, and the law? Have you experienced mental illness personally, as a carer, family member, professional, or through other life experience? Are you based within reasonable travelling distance of Thatcham/Newbury?
We are looking to appoint additional Independent Hospital Managers to support Thornford Park Hospital, a specialist mental health service providing a seamless care pathway across medium secure, low secure, rehabilitation, and psychiatric intensive care services.
As an Independent Hospital Manager, you will play an important role in helping to safeguard the rights of patients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983. You will participate in Hospital Managers' Review Hearings, held both in person and virtually via Microsoft Teams, to consider whether patients continue to meet the legal criteria for detention.
This is a voluntary appointment and Independent Hospital Managers are not employees of the hospital. The role requires people who can act independently, exercise sound judgement, maintain confidentiality, and make fair and balanced decisions in accordance with the Mental Health Act, the Mental Health Act Code of Practice, and principles of good governance.
No formal qualifications are required, and we welcome applications from people with a broad range of professional backgrounds, personal experiences, and life skills. An interest in mental health, human rights, decision-making, and safeguarding vulnerable individuals is essential.
We are particularly keen to hear from candidates who can offer flexibility and availability on approximately two to three days per month, sometimes at short notice, to attend hearings and associated activities.
This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of people receiving mental health care while supporting high standards of fairness, accountability, and patient rights.
If you are interested in helping ensure our service users are treated lawfully, fairly, and with dignity, we'd love to hear from you.
About Thornford Park
Thornford Park is a 141 bed hospital set within 21 acres of Berkshire countryside, offering a seamless care pathway across medium and low secure services, psychiatric intensive care units (PICUs), and rehabilitation flats. The site supports men and women with complex Mental Health needs, Personality Disorders, Learning Disabilities, and Autism—often with histories of offending or previous placement challenges.
Services include:
- Medium & Low Secure Units for acute and long-term care
- PICUs for individuals in psychiatric crisis
- Older Adult Services with age-appropriate, holistic interventions
- Specialist Learning Disability & Autism Pathways with integrated secure settings and step-down flats
📍 Location: Crookham Hill, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG19 8ET
About Elysium Health Care:
Elysium Health care has over 8,000 employees and a unique approach to the delivery of care. With a network of over 80 services across England and Wales covering Mental Health, Neurological, Learning Disabilities & Autism, Children & Education, there is opportunity for you to grow and move.
Elysium Healthcare is part of Ramsay Health Care with a global network that extends across 10 countries and employs over 86,000 people globally.
Elysium Healthcare follows safer recruitment of staff for all appointments and is a Disability Confident employer, committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment. It is a requirement that all staff understand it is each person’s individual responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of service users. All candidates will be subject to a DBS disclosure