New mental health unit approved (From Western Telegraph)

New mental health unit approved

County council planners have given unanimous approval to a new mental health unit at Withybush Hospital.

The unit will provide 47 bedrooms - 15 for the elderly mental ill and 32 for the adult mental ill. Its 25 staff will be relocated from St Davids Hospital and the Day Hospital, Withybush.

The availability of car parking space was the only contention at last weeks planning meeting.

Councillor Phil Llewellyn said: 'I'm pleased any stigma attached to mental health has not been raised and it's unfortunate it has been in the past. It's the car parking issue that's crucial.'

Under the plans, the on-site conference centre will now be used as a training centre.

Council negotiations with the Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust knocked down the maximum number of users of the centre from 60 to 40, leaving 66 parking spaces free for the hospital.

Members were assured that 65 users would be the 'worst case scenario' at times with the maximum number of visitors and a staff change-over.

Local councillor Mark Edwards said: 'We have had three meetings in Prendergast about the unit and I estimate 80% of people are for it and 20% against. The majority of concerns are about parking over-spill, and with those questions answered I support this proposal.'

Fourteen letters of objection had been received against the plan, along with a petition signed by 181 local residents, many on the grounds of safety. Officers stressed that no-one with a 'security rating' would be treated at the hospital.

'We have been assured that all high level security patients will be treated in Bridgend and low level patients will continue to be treated at St Davids Hospital, Carmarthen.'

They were also reminded that the Day Hospital currently operates for the mentally ill.

The plans include an extensive landscaping scheme to aid privacy for both patients and nearby residents. A new noise-tested boiler house and refrigeration unit will also be built on site.

Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust chairman, Mrs Lynette George, said: 'This is very good news for the people of Pembrokeshire. We are delighted that the dream to provide a local in-patients service to compliment our community infrastructure has been achieved.

'We look forward to making speedy progress when building starts later this year.'