PATIENTS and staff are being offered a first glimpse at a new £88m mental health unit for adults in Cardiff.

The Adult Mental Health Unit at the University Hospital Llandough will bring together existing adult and specialist services provided at Whitchurch Hospital and the Llanfair Unit under one roof.

The shell of the building is expected to be completed and watertight by the end of August. Work will then start on fitting out the wards and reception areas and landscaping the grounds.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has invited staff, patients and carers to view and comment on a mock-up bedroom, furniture samples and a new reassurance observation system for staff and patient safety.

The modern, purpose built 135-bed inpatient facility, situated opposite the hospital’s existing main entrance, will include a concourse similar to that at the University Hospital of Wales.

The unit will include:-

• crisis assessment ward 15 beds

• locality wards 51 beds

• psychiatric intensive care ward 10 beds

• addiction ward and day unit 12 beds

• neuropsychiatry service 12 beds

• male low secure wards 25 beds

• supportive recovery service 10 beds

Total 135 beds

The unit will also incorporate a number of day services and clinics, Mental Health Act Tribunal suite, Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team base and various recreational, social, relaxation and therapy spaces.

All inpatient beds will be provided in single rooms.

It is anticipated that the construction works will be completed in January 2016.

Jayne Tottle, Mental Health Clinical Board Nurse, said: “The closure of Whitchurch Hospital will present Cardiff and Vale UHB with the opportunity to provide in-patient care in a modern purpose built unit.

“Whilst the care given currently is of a high standard, the old Whitchurch Hospital is no longer fit for purpose. The new inpatient unit will enable staff to offer a service appropriate to individual’s needs, in a setting which will enhance the therapeutic activities offered.

“The ward environments will be safer and are well designed and will enable rooms to be multi-functional depending on the requirement at any given time.”

Simone Joslyn, Clinical Project Lead for the Adult Mental Health Unit, said: “This investment for mental health services will improve the environment and care for service users within Cardiff and the Vale.

“The unit has been designed in collaboration with service users and staff. This was done to ensure that the new unit will help staff provide the highest quality of care during periods of stay."