Psychiatric care debate launched (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Psychiatric care debate launched

7:30am Friday 3rd February 2012 in Local

A public consultation has been launched to find out what people think of proposed changes to mental health services provided at local hospitals for adults and older people.

Hospital-based mental health services are currently provided at Lynfield Mount Hospital, in Daisy Hill, Bradford, and at the Airedale Centre for Mental Health and Ward 24, both on the Airedale General Hospital site.

Services include the psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) and those for adults (aged 18-65 years) and older people (65 years and over).

The proposals follow a review of inpatient mental health services by Bradford District Care Trust, which highlighted the trust could use its resources more effectively while improving the hospital environment and facilities for patients and their carers.

It also said hospital beds for older people were significantly under-used and the savings made from improved use of resources could be better spent on other mental health services for older people.

There are three proposals: 1) Not to change the number of beds provided, but to make some minor changes in where they are located.

2) Not to change the number of beds provided, but to move the PICU from the Airedale Centre for Mental Health to Lynfield Mount.

3) To move PICU to Lynfield Mount Hospital, at the same time reducing the number of beds and making separate wards for functional and organic illnesses.

Mick James, mental health and learning disabilities commissioner at NHS Airedale, Bradford and Leeds, said: “Having the best possible mental health services is important to everyone. All NHS services must be high quality and clinically effective, but value for money is also important.

“Modern mental health services are more likely to be provided at home or near to places where people live. This means hospital services are not used as much as they were in the past, so it is important to review services.

“This engagement process gives people the chance to tell us what they think of the proposals.”

The consultation, which runs until April 26, is being run by NHS Airedale, Bradford and Leeds. To have your say, visit www.bradford.nhs.uk, and click on the ‘get involved’ tab.