Public consultation on older people’s mental health inpatient services launched

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, have launched a public consultation on improving mental health inpatient care for older people on wards across Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.

The consultation will ask people to share their views about creating a specialist inpatient service for older people with dementia, and dedicated wards for older people living with other mental health needs such as anxiety, depression or psychosis. These are known as ‘functional mental health’ conditions.

You can find more out more information on the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust website.

Drop-in events and online meetings will be held across the area in January and February, where you can find out more about the consultation, ask any questions and give your views.

The consultation events will be held from 2–7pm on:

• Tuesday 16 January, Halifax Town Hall, HX1 1UJ
• Wednesday 17 January, Brian Jackson House, Huddersfield, HD1 5JP
• Thursday 18 January, Balne Lane Community Centre, Wakefield, WF2 0DP
• Tuesday 23 January, Hemsworth Community Centre, Pontefract, WF9 4NE
• Wednesday 24 January, Hebden Bridge Town Hall, HX7 7BY
• Thursday 25 January, Dewsbury Town Hall, WF12 8DG

The event venues are accessible for wheelchair users and have induction loops. Guide dogs are also welcome.

There will also be online meetings on the following dates. Information about how to join these will be published on our dedicated consultation website – www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk/opsconsultation.

• Wednesday 31 January, 10 – 11.30am
• Tuesday 6 February, 10.30am – 12pm
• Saturday 10 February, 10.30am – 12pm

This consultation will be important for local communities in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. Once the consultation closes, all the feedback received will help the local NHS make an informed decision.