Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has told Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board that its proposed development of a new Mental Health Unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital must be "accompanied by a step change in the prioritisation of mental health services and a radical change of culture within the Health Board".
Responding to the 'Pre-Application Consultation: Development of New Mental Health Unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital', James has also called on the Health Board to ensure that security is a key priority when considering the new facility, and to provide more car parking spaces in its proposed new multi-storey car park on the hospital site.
In his response, James, who last month discussed the proposals in more depth with the project leads, welcomed that the proposed development has been relocated away from residential properties, as requested during the initial consultation, but highlighted concerns raised regarding security.
He said:
"I recently met a neighbouring business owner who raised concerns over the security of the current unit and a desire to ensure that security is a key priority when considering the new facility. I hope that it will be possible to address his comments."
His response also stated:
"You will be more than aware that current and past criticisms of local mental health care provision have not simply related to bricks and mortar but also to systems and quality of care. It is imperative that any development is accompanied by a step change in the prioritisation of mental health services and a radical change of culture within the Health Board.
"This is, I believe, also a valuable opportunity to consider the potential for a standalone North Wales mental health trust which can dedicate its efforts to a much-needed attempt to bring local services at least up to the standard of those elsewhere in the UK. I have previously also suggested it may be beneficial to ensure that, among the senior leadership roles at the Health Board, are individuals with a detailed knowledge of, and interest in, mental health."
James also challenged the Health Board over the amount of space it will allocating for "administrative and medical record spaces" in the new building, given that the existing Ablett Ward will be repurposed to include administrative and medical record spaces, and that the current plans for the redeveloped Royal Alexandra Hospital site also consist of a number of offices and space for medical record storage.
He said:
"Whilst I understand the need for on-site offices, I would ask whether office space throughout the central region of the Health Board could be mapped out, as the current plans alone seem to contradict the suggestion that “greater use of agile and home working is being explored” across the NHS estate. They also appear to disregard the ongoing digitisation of medical health records. I wonder whether there may be potential to reduce the cost of either the Royal Alex or Mental Health Unit developments by rationalising the office space provision."
With regards to the multi-storey car park, he said:
"I strongly welcome the general concept but believe it is woefully insufficient. Parking is a concern raised regularly by all those who use the hospital site. As I am sure you are aware, the current provision is wholly inadequate and often results in people parking dangerously. It can take a considerable length of time to find a parking space, and this can results in much stress, many missed appointments and reduced time for visitors to spend with loved ones. I understand that the Design and Access Statement indicates that the construction of the new mental health unit and proposed new multi-storey car park will involve the net loss of a dozen or so spaces. That contradicts suggestions elsewhere that there would be a net gain of 16 spaces. Either scenario would be unacceptable.
"I would strongly encourage you to consider including a wider footprint and an extra floor (or more) to the proposed multistorey car park. Whilst the Design and Access Statement suggests “the additional car parking deck would be constructed in a way that would allow for further expansion in the future if required”, I feel that the additional requirement has been abundantly clear for many years. It would be more cost effective to include additional provision during the initial construction phase than to cause further upheaval in the future."
James welcomed the fact that it is planned for the car parking deck to be completed before building work starts on the new hospital unit, and concluded his response by stating:
"I look forward to seeing the proposals progress, with hope that the development can be a catalyst for a new way of thinking about mental health across North Wales."
