Professor Tony Warne visits Honeysuckle Lodge in Bolton
Honeysuckle Lodge colleagues and patients in Bolton welcomed a visit from our Chair, Professor Tony Warne, last week (8 December 2025) to our inpatient unit for women based on the Royal Bolton Hospital site.
The visit was an opportunity for Tony to meet with staff and find out more about the rehabilitation and recovery services provided for women with mental health issues, who may otherwise receive care out of the local area.
Tony toured the impressive unit which has 14 en-suite bedrooms, a large day room, kitchen and dining facilities, therapy rooms and open garden space, providing a welcoming, homely environment for women as they prepare to leave inpatient mental health services.
Tony said:
“It was a most enjoyable visit to Honeysuckle Lodge to meet colleagues and patients to hear about the difference this service makes to supporting women to lead the lives they want as active citizens in their communities.
“I was impressed by the care being provided in this rehabilitation setting. The therapeutic environment of Honeysuckle Lodge helps patients develop and enhance life skills and coping strategies and my tour touched on some of these areas through the garden where patients were growing food, the kitchen where they cooked fake-aways, and the art room and sensory room, which were safe spaces.
“I am very grateful for everyone’s time and the opportunity to find out more about this specialist service.”
Connie Baines, Ward Manager for Honeysuckle Lodge, and Michelle Bennett, Service Manager for Rehab, showed Tony round the unit where patients were taking part in Christmas crafts and hairstyling in the ward’s salon in preparation to leave the unit for a special Christmas lunch in the community.
Connie added:
“It was great to have Tony visit us at Honeysuckle Lodge to witness this specialist service in action and in the Christmas spirit! We were able to discuss how individualised care truly supports the person with managing their mental and physical wellbeing, developing new skills and independence, with the aim to successfully re integrate back into their local community.
“It was a fantastic way to showcase all the interventions we offer and our MDT (Multidisciplinary Team) working. it was lovely to see service users reflect on their time spent with us and that we made a difference in their recovery journey.
“At Honeysuckle Lodge, we pride ourselves on our own ward core values; we are open and honest, we are friendly and approachable, we are consistent in our care, and we work collaboratively as a team.”
