AN MP HAS told Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) 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.
Dr James Davies, Vale of Clwyd MP, made the comments when responding to the 'Pre-Application Consultation: Development of New Mental Health Unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital.'
Dr Davies has also called on the special measures 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.
Dr Davies said although he is pleased that the proposed development has been re-located away from residential properties, he has concerns 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."
Dr Davies has 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 in Rhyl 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?"
Speaking on plans for the multi-storey car park, the politician said: "I believe it is woefully insufficient. Parking is a concern raised regularly by all those who use the hospital site.
"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 BCUHB 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."
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BCUHB submitted plans for a new fit for purpose unit, which could cost up to £84.5m, earlier ths year.
It is set to benefit from 63-beds and will replace the hospital’s Ablett Unit and the older people’s mental health inpatient facility at Bryn Hesketh, Colwyn Bay.
Teresa Owen, executive director responsible for BCUHB’s Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Division, said: “Feedback from our Pre-Planning Application Consultation has demonstrated that there is considerable community support for our proposals and we’re very grateful to Dr Davies for his positive feedback.
“Whilst the proposed new unit represents a significant step forward in supporting our hard working staff to deliver the very best care, we of course recognise that the task of improving mental health services across the region is not limited to ensuring that our inpatient buildings are fit for purpose. A detailed programme of improvement work is currently underway across our mental health services to ensure that patients consistently receive good quality care.
“We’re aware of a local business owner’s concerns about security arrangements for the new site and we will be contacting them in the coming week to offer reassurance that the measures put in place will be appropriate. We’ll also be contacting Dr Davies to respond to all the points he has raised. This will include information on the amount of space allocated for administrative and medical record use, which we believe is proportionate, as it includes space for staff training, as well as improved staff rest and changing facilities, which will help us better look after our hard working teams.
“We fully appreciate how challenging car parking can be for patients, visitors and staff at Glan Clwyd Hospital, and we do not underestimate the stress and anxiety this can cause. Having taken on board public feedback, we have revised our plans so they now include for an increase of at least 16 car parking spaces.
“Health Board colleagues are exploring how to make greater use of cycle to work and car share options, public and community transport schemes, agile and home working, and increased use of video and online technology for remote consultations, where appropriate. All of this has the potential to reduce the number of cars on the Glan Clwyd Hospital site.
“We are currently finalising our Full Business Case for this much needed development. This will be considered by the BCUHB Board and Welsh Government towards the end of 2023.
"In addition, we are considering all feedback received via our recent consultation, before submitting an application for full planning permission to Denbighshire County Council in the coming months.”
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