BAM Construction lands £84.5m contract to build new Betsi Cadwaladr mental health care unit

News and Info from Deeside, Flintshire, North Wales

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Oct 12th, 2022

BAM has been asked by Betsi Cadwaladr University (BCU) Health Board to develop the detailed design for constructing a new inpatient adult and older persons mental health unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan.

The Welsh Government approved the Health Board’s outline plans this week and the scheme can now proceed to a full assessment.

The £84.5 million, 63-bed mental health facility would replace the existing care and support services which are presently provided at the hospital’s existing Ablett Unit and at the Bryn Hesketh inpatient older persons mental health facility in Colwyn Bay.

The plans include a 14-bed older person’s mental health ward with en-suite facilities and improved recreational spaces.

A 13-bed dementia care assessment unit will also be established. This will include provision for families and carers to stay with their loved ones overnight, as well as a secure courtyard, en-suite facilities to all bedrooms, and recreational and therapy spaces.

A full business case will now be submitted by the health board which will be subject to further scrutiny and if agreed, the project could commence in 2024.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said:

“It is vital that there are fit-for-purpose mental health facilities across Wales that will deliver high quality care for people who need urgent help during crises.

“These new plans will help to improve the working environment for staff, reduce maintenance costs and provide patients and their families with the dignity and space they need to recover.

“Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is subject to considerable scrutiny for mental health after being placed in Targeted Intervention by the Welsh Government. I am therefore pleased to see ambitious and much needed plans such as these move one step closer.”

Teresa Owen, Executive Director responsible for BCUHB’s Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Division, said:

“This news will be welcomed by the many patients, carers, staff and partner organisations who have helped to shape these ambitious proposals. It represents a significant step forward in our improvement journey, as we work towards delivering a mental health unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital that is fit-for-purpose, enabling our hard-working staff to deliver the very best care that our patients deserve.

“Work will now begin in earnest to complete a detailed and fully costed full business case. We look forward to sharing our proposals with Welsh Government and the many other stakeholders with an interest in this much-needed development.”