Work is underway on a new child mental health centre in Osbaldwick
It's an improved centre for York's NHS Child Adolescent and Mental Health Service (CAMHS).
Last updated 26th Feb 2021
Work is starting on new child mental health centre in Osbaldwick
Construction is beginning on a new improved site for York’s NHS Child Adolescent and Mental Health Service (CAMHS), currently based at the Lime Trees facility on Shipton Road.
It's a £1.2 million investment for a 6-month refurbishment of premises at the Link Business Park in Osbaldwick to create a new 2-floor centre. The new site will be more accessible than Lime Trees, with more capacity for pushchairs and wheelchairs in therapy rooms.
York CAMHS will also own the site, meaning they can have more control over any adjustments that may need to be made at the building.
Rob Berry is a service manager for York CAMHS, and told Greatest Hits Radio York: "Lime Trees has been the home for children and young people's mental health services for a long time. It's fair to say that the Lime Trees site doesn't allow us to modernise services.
"We've been able to purchase a new site in York, which has been paid for from capital reserves. It's a modern building which will allow us to better meet the needs of young people.
"It allows us to install a better IT infrastructure, meaning we can engage with people better. The big difference in terms of owning the building is that we can maintain it to our standard; we don't have to go to a lease holder for permission to make any changes.
"It makes it a much more flexible building. It'll make a massive difference to young people; it means that people coming for appointments will have a better experience. The interview rooms will be better designed, and will offer a greater deal of respect and privacy.
"We've employed a dedicated project manager to help us with this, and they're actively working with a focus group of young people and families.
"We can't get away from the pandemic at the moment, and it's great that we can see investment in services at a time when children and young people's mental health has taken a real hit".