Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has welcomed investment in a new mental health unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital, but has called for it to 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 on the development of the new mental health unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital, James said he welcomes any opportunity to improve facilities at the hospital, but stressed that “the proposed development alone will not transform the quality of the services it will house”.
Within his response, he also proposed that “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”, should be considered.
He said:
“The proposed modern, welcoming, and bespoke building will provide the opportunity to improve patient experience and outcomes and also boost staff morale, recruitment and retention.
“However, the development alone will not transform the quality of the services it will house. It needs to be accompanied by a step change in the prioritisation of mental health services and a radical change of culture within the Health Board.
“This might be achieved by ensuring that among the senior leadership roles at the Health Board are individuals with a detailed knowledge and interest in mental health. It 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.”
James also highlighted that he has been contacted by residents in neighbouring properties who feel that such a large development immediately adjacent to their homes will impact upon their quality of life and called on the health board to work closely with them to mitigate their concerns.
He added:
“They are concerned that the three-storey building will overlook their homes and gardens, reducing their privacy; create noise and lighting disturbance; and be a potential safety hazard if adequate controls are not put in place.
“As part of this process, perhaps it would be possible to examine whether there is any prospect of the new facility being placed on the footprint of the existing Ablett Unit instead, and to confirm that close liaison is taking place with the team leading on the Royal Alexandra Hospital development in relation to the need for administrative and medical record space – which may be increasingly less needed as a result of flexible working arrangements and digitisation.”
James welcomed the general concept of the multi-storey car park at the site, but questioned the number of additional spaces it will create and asked whether it will be structurally future-proofed to accept additional floors at a later date.
He said:
“Parking is a concern raised regularly by all those who use the hospital site. My understanding is that it is proposed that the new Ablett will be sited on a recently constructed car park for 350 vehicles. The multi-storey car park will be located on the northern two thirds of an existing car park. In total, the spaces on Levels 1 and 2 of the multi-storey less the 350 to be lost appear to provide a surplus of just around 50 spaces.
“I would encourage the Health Board to make the most of the opportunity and incorporate as much additional parking as possible. The present Park and Ride facilities, while useful, are not an ideal long-term solution and incur an annual cost to the Health Board.”
He 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.”
