BAM has been appointed by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to deliver the detailed design for a new mental health care unit in Bodelwyddan, near Rhyl
The Welsh Government has approved the outline plans for the Betsi Cadwaladr mental health care unit, which will now proceed to a full assessment.
The development would function as an inpatient adult and older persons mental health unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan, near Rhyl.
BAM’s involvement follows previous schemes it has developed together with Betsi Cadwaladr University (BCU) including the neo-natal intensive care unit and cancer treatment centre.
The development will offer overnight accommodation for families and carers
Existing care and support facilities at the hospital’s existing Ablett Unit and at the Bryn Hesketh inpatient older persons mental health facility in Colwyn Bay would be replaced with the 63-bed Betsi Cadwaladr mental health care unit.
The £84.5m plans include a 14-bed older person’s mental health ward with en-suite facilities and improved recreational spaces.
There will also be two purpose-built 16-bed adult wards with a de-stimulation area on each ward, which will provide a safe nursing environment for high acuity patients, preventing the need for transfer to other mental health units.
A 13-bed dementia care assessment unit will also be established. This will include provision for families and carers to stay with their loved ones overnight, as well as a secure courtyard, en-suite facilities to all bedrooms, and recreational and therapy spaces.
An assessment suite to enable suitable patients to be moved from the Emergency Department in a timely manner is included, as is more outdoor and therapeutic space and better staff and family facilities.
The design will incorporate sustainable technology such as heat pumps and PV cells
The new building will provide acute inpatient mental health care to adults from Conwy, Denbighshire and parts of Flintshire, as well as a new Dementia Assessment Unit, incorporating the latest evidence on dementia supportive environments, and a dedicated crisis assessment area.
Sustainability will be at the heart of the design, supporting the Welsh Government’s climate emergency approach. Biophilic design principles will be applied in the form of air-sourced heat pumps and photovoltaic cells on the roof of the new facility.
The design partners for the scheme are architects, Powell Dobson, structural engineers, Ramboll, M&E engineers, Arup, and MEP installers, Lorne Stuart.
Gleeds will provide project management and cost advisor services to the BCU Health Board.
Subject to final approvals, construction is projected to begin in 2024 and complete in 2026
The project has been awarded to BAM under the NHS Building for Wales framework, NHS Wales’ construction procurement and delivery frameworks for major capital projects with construction costs in excess of £4m.
Rob Bailey, BAM Construction director and healthcare lead in the North West of England and North Wales said: “The BAM North West team is delighted to have the opportunity to work with the BCU Health Board at Glan Clwyd once again. This is an exciting and important project that will deliver significantly improved facilities for both patients and staff and accommodate more acute mental health beds to help Betsi Cadwaladr University meet current and future demands.
“We have established a strong and successful relationship with the University Health Board through previously delivered projects and we look forward to continuing this success with this important healthcare project for the region.’
The Betsi Cadwaladr mental health care unit will help provide a high standard of care to patients
Teresa Owen, executive director responsible for BCUHB’s Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Division, said:
“This news will be welcomed by the many patients, carers, staff and partner organisations who have helped to shape these ambitious proposals. It represents a significant step forward in our improvement journey, as we work towards delivering a mental health unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital that is fit-for-purpose, enabling our hard-working staff to deliver the very best care that our patients deserve.
“Work will now begin in earnest to complete a detailed and fully costed full business case. We look forward to sharing our proposals with Welsh Government and the many other stakeholders with an interest in this much-needed development.”
