Fieldhead Hospital to get new mental health ward for patients aged over 65

Fieldhead Hospital in Wakefield is to get a new ward providing mental health services for patients aged over 65.

Wakefield Council has approved an application to build the 10-bedroom facility close to Bar Lane, opposite Pinderfields Hospital.

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said the need for a ward specialising in care for vulnerable older people had become apparent since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fieldhead provides a range of in-patient mental services for children and adults.

It also provides drug and alcohol abuse services as well as providing care for patients with learning disabilities.

The proposals include building an extension to the hospital’s Crofton ward to accommodate the new two-story facility.

A design statement submitted on behalf of the trust said the new ward would includes en suite facilities and aims to improve support services, reduce “clinical isolation” and improve patients’ privacy.

The document said: “The decision to consolidate the older people’s ward at Fieldhead is underscored by a crucial understanding of the vulnerabilities faced by service users in remote acute mental health wards, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The adverse impact on physically vulnerable individuals highlighted the necessity for on-site medical support.

“By relocating the bed base to Fieldhead, the plan aligns with best practices, ensuring that the on-call medical provision, alongside nursing and clinical services, can seamlessly support inpatient facilities on the same site.”

Approving the scheme, an officer’s report said: “Overall, it is considered that given the nature of the development and its intended purpose and position within the hospital complex, the proposed development would be acceptable in terms of design and visual amenity.

“There could be some disturbance to existing patients at the hospital during the construction period but, given the scale of development, this should be limited in nature and could be controlled through the use of planning conditions to limit the timing of deliveries and construction hours.”