The final patients have been transferred from Whitchurch Hospital to the new purpose built adult mental health unit at University Hospital Llandough.
Patients who require hospital treatment will now receive their care and rehabilitation at Hafan y Coed in the new facilities which were designed with service users and staff, providing a modern, therapeutic and recovery focused environment to adults experiencing mental health issues.
While in-patient services have transferred to the new facility, Community Mental Health support and a number of other services will still operate from Whitchurch Hospital.
Whitchurch Hospital which opened in 1908 has been a huge part of the local community and was originally a self contained hospital with a working farm for patients and its iconic water tower. However, after 108 years of patient care the Victorian facility is no longer fit for purpose to provide the rehabilitation and recovery that patients need today.
Annie Procter, Director for Mental Health Clinical Board at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said; “When Whitchurch Hospital was first opened it was a state of the art facility to support the needs of patients who were mentally unwell. After 108 years, the facility is no longer fit for purpose to provide the care and support that patients need, which led to the decision to develop a new purpose built facility for in-patients.
“Hafan y Coed is a first class facility which will enable our staff to provide the care and support that service users deserve when they are feeling unwell. The attention to detail in the design of the new unit is a testament to the partnership working with patients to build a calming, warming and welcoming facility to aid patient recovery.
“The key to the success of this unit is allowing service users to have a degree of independence, despite them being in a hospital environment which is reflected in the individual bedrooms, ensuite facilities and outside spaces.
“We would like to thank the community of Whitchurch for all their support over the years while services operated from the Hospital and our staff who have worked tirelessly to provide a seamless transfer of patients between the two sites.”
Hafan y Coed, which means Haven of Trees, was developed by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board in partnership with service users and staff, to provide an inpatient environment which expresses openness, safety, caring and recovery.
The theme of nature was decided by service users and over 40 pieces of artwork were specially commissioned for the new environment. Artwork was designed and created by service users and local artists enabling the nature theme to run throughout the décor.
Hafan y Coed has been designed so that each ward has its own outside space with individual courtyards and garden areas available so service users can enjoy fresh air as part of their rehabilitation. The outside spaces promote the connection with nature and provide a stress-free environment to enhance recovery and therapy.
One feature of the new unit which will have the biggest impact on service users is the inclusion of individual bedrooms with ensuite facilities, something that was not available at Whitchurch Hospital. This will give service users the dignity and respect they deserve as they undertake their recovery journey.
A number of community health services that are still running from Whitchurch Hospital include the Low Secure Community Mental Health Team, the Move-on Team, Psychology, Cynnwys, Perinatal Community Service, Ambulance, Physiotherapy, Community Dental, Lymphoedema, Occupational Therapy and physiotherapy equipment workshops.
