More events will be held across Kirklees where people can find out about the local NHS consultation on improving mental health care for older people on inpatient wards across Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield.
The consultation asks people to share their views about creating specialist inpatient wards for older people with dementia, and dedicated wards for older people living with other mental health needs such as anxiety, depression or psychosis, which are known as ‘functional mental health needs’.
People are invited to drop into the events anytime to come and find out more and ask any questions they may have. The events are:
- Cleckheaton Market – Wednesday 28 February, 10-1pm
- Huddersfield Royal Infirmary (main entrance) – Monday 4 March, 9-11.30am
- Dewsbury and District Hospital (main entrance) – Tuesday 19 March, 10-12.30pm
It is important that the local NHS hears from people in Kirklees. In particular people who are living with dementia, or a functional mental health need, their families, carers, loved ones and health and care staff.
At the moment, there are older people’s mental health inpatient wards based in The Dales at Calderdale Royal Hospital, Priestley Unit at Dewsbury and District Hospital, Fieldhead Hospital in Wakefield, and The Poplars in Hemsworth.
The proposals are to create a specialist dementia ward at either the Priestley Unit, Dewsbury and District Hospital or at Fieldhead Hospital in Wakefield. Patients living with a functional mental health need would be cared for in a dedicated ward at the other main hospital locations. The proposals do not include The Poplars in Hemsworth which is no longer suitable for an older people’s mental health inpatient ward.
People can find out more about the consultation on the website: www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk/opsconsultation including how to give their views using the online survey.
If you do not have access to the internet, you can call their freephone number, 0800 587 2108, and someone will be in touch to help you.
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board are working together on the consultation. The consultation is open until 29 March 2024. Once the consultation closes all the feedback received will help the local NHS make an informed decision.