Ayr Clinic is a 36-bedded, low secure hospital for males and females with mental illness and/or personality disorders, located in the coastal town of Ayr in West Central Scotland.

Our low secure service is spread over three wards comprising:

• 12-bedded male admissions unit
• 12-bedded female admissions unit
• 12-bedded mixed gender rehabilitation unit

Ayr Clinic also offers specialised step-down facilities to enable patients to continue their recovery journey, maintain good mental health, and promote social inclusion and skills for a sustainable discharge into community living.

Our step-down facilities comprise:

• 8-bedded community house – The Gatehouse
• 10-bedded community house – Lochlea

Ayr Clinic accepts referrals for adults with mental illness who are subject to detention under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 or the Criminal Procedures (Scotland) Act 1995. Patients who are accepted for care and treatment are funded by their respective local Scottish NHS Board or from NHS commissioning bodies in England seeking to repatriate Scottish residents closer to their home areas and families.

Our Approach

The service aims to create an environment which fosters effective treatment and intervention programmes and provides support to enable patients to reach their full potential and move on to live as healthy, safe, independent and successful lives as possible.

Patients at the clinic receive high levels of therapeutic care which is underpinned by evidence-based knowledge. This includes a comprehensive assessment of the needs of the individual in order to devise an individualised treatment programme that will address social, physical, intellectual and mental health needs within a specific and measurable care/recovery plan, regularly collated and reviewed through the Care Programme Approach (CPA) framework. 

Our services promote a safe, sound and secure environment for all. The level of security will be based on individual patient needs, the responsibility to protect others, and/or prevention of harm to self. Service delivery takes account of patient diversity, meeting the needs of gender, cultural and religious diversity through our policies and practices.

Treatment is offered in a safe and positive environment where patients develop their skills for independence, self-confidence and knowledge of how to manage their mental health and wellbeing. We work collaboratively with the residents to empower them, using recovery and person-centred approaches.

Our treatment programmes focus on therapies including:

• Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Programme
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) informed input
• Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) informed interventions
• Emotional regulation
• Self-harming reduction and management
• Trauma, grief and loss counselling
• Psycho-education
• Anger and anxiety management
• Problem solving skills and relapse prevention
• Life and social skills

We view patients as part of our team, working together to build their confidence and skills to re-join a meaningful place in the community.

We also provide real work opportunities (RWOs). This programme replicates the demands of work and develops employment skills such as responsibility, following structured work times and duties, people skills and personal presentation.

An expert team

Ayr Clinic has a comprehensive, skilled, appropriately trained and motivated workforce. Our core clinical services comprise medical, nursing, occupational therapy, and psychology, with all staff working together as a multidisciplinary team, and placing the patient at the centre of their treatment and recovery journey. 

Our dedicated occupational therapy team within Ayr Clinic offers a range of meaningful activities to improve patient’s quality of life, develop skills, and increase motivation and engagement. This is facilitated in a variety of ways to meet the needs of different patients.

In addition, the service is backed by substantial support services team including a local senior management team, administrative staff, catering, housekeeping and maintenance.

Ayr Clinic Recovery College

Ayr Clinic’s Recovery College provides further opportunities for patients to improve their wellbeing through education and skills development workshops.

You can explore this section for more information on our Recovery College.