Kirklees residents invited to learn more about plans for St Luke’s hospital mental health services
On Thursday 8th July, 11.30am-7.30pm an open day is taking place to tell local people about NHS plans for mental health services in Kirklees. The open day is taking place in the main concert room at Huddersfield Town Hall, Ramsden Street.
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is moving inpatient mental health services off the St Luke’s hospital site, Crosland Moor in Huddersfield. The open day is an opportunity to find out more about the Trust’s plans for inpatient and community mental health services for people in Kirklees.
The decision to move from the St Luke’s site was taken by the Trust’s Board following a formal public consultation in 2006. Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, who own the St Luke’s site, have said they plan to move all their services off the site as soon as possible and NHS Kirklees (the Primary Care Trust) have already moved their services off the site.
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust leases space at St Luke’s to provide inpatient beds for adults and older people and a base for clinical and non-clinical services. All the services currently provided at St Luke’s will move to other facilities.
Tim Breedon, district director, explained, "We are looking at alternative community premises for clinic space and staff bases and are searching for suitable land or buildings for inpatient care. In the meantime, we have developed an interim solution for inpatients that involves using existing NHS mental health facilities in Halifax and Dewsbury. We are aiming to relocate on an interim basis by the end of the year.
"This will allow us time to carefully consider and plan for the longer term so that we have flexible solutions that maintain the quality of services in the future to support local people."
The open day provides an opportunity for people who use Trust services, their families and carers, partner organisations and local residents to find out more. Exhibitions and displays will include:
• The background to the project • How the Trust is working with service users and carers on the decisions • Why the Trust is leaving St Luke’s • Inpatient services for adults and older people • Local community services • Crisis resolution services
There will be an opportunity to chat to NHS staff about the changes. Staff will also be on hand to help answer any queries, as well as explain how people can get more involved in shaping future decisions made by the Trust.
Chief Executive, Steven Michael, said, "I hope we have a good turn out at the open day so we can continue our important dialogue with local people. High quality local mental health services in modern, appropriate facilities are vital.
"Over the years we have responded to what people have told us they want and this has seen a shift in the way specialist mental health services are provided. Approximately 98% of our contact with service users now takes place in the community and in people’s own homes. It is vital these services remain in the heart of people’s communities and our plans show how we are fully committed to this.
"For the 2% of people who require a stay in hospital to help them recover, we need to make sure we are providing the best possible care in suitable surroundings. The facilities at St Luke’s provide a challenge to the Trust due to the age and style of the accommodation which does not support modern mental health care. People with mental health problems deserve a high standard of accommodation in which to receive high quality care. Whether we are looking at our interim solutions or our longer term plans the needs of individuals will always remain central to our discussions."
Anyone is welcome to attend the open day and refreshments will be available. Find out more by calling the Trust’s customer services team on 0800 587 2108 or emailing customer.services@swyt.nhs.uk