A NEW state-of-the-art NHS specialist in-patient unit for older people with dementia and complex needs opened at Malton Hospital yesterday (Tuesday).

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) has invested £3.9m in the purpose-designed development at Springwood, which replaces accommodation that has been well established on the Malton Hospital site for a number of years.

Patients, carers and staff have been involved throughout the planning process.

Springwood now has facilities which have been developed to offer patients 24-hour care within modern, homely surroundings.

The new spacious and contemporary building provides 14 single en-suite bedrooms, one of which is equipped as a high dependency suite.

New to the unit are internal and external pathways which offer patients with dementia, who can become anxious or agitated the space to wander in a safe and secure environment.

Patients are cared for by a highly-trained multi-disciplinary team, which includes consultant psychiatrist, dietician, occupational therapist, activity worker and nursing staff.

They provide high quality 24-hour inpatient care for older people with complex organic illnesses, who have dementia and are frail and vulnerable.

Dr Tolu Olusoga, consultant psychiatrist and senior clinical director for mental health services for older people, said: “We are very proud to open our new Springwood unit which staff, patients and their carers have been involved in developing. This purpose-built development provided by TEWV is a key part of the trust’s plan to fundamentally modernise the way we provide services. It has dramatically improved the inpatient environment on a site which is a long established part of the local community.”

Services were moved to Alexander House, in Knaresborough, during the construction of the new unit and patients have now returned to Springwood in Malton.

Tracey Hutchinson, unit manager, said: “The new facilities at Springwood unit will enable people to receive high quality person- centred inpatient care, based on their individual needs, and delivered in a purpose-built modern environment by a team of very specialist and dedicated staff.”

Gill Calden, a carer whose husband is a patient at Springwood, said: “Everything about the new unit is absolutely amazing. Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust has thought about every aspect of what the patients might need. The transformation from the old Springwood to what we have today is unbelievable.”