Transformational plans for Lynfield Mount

We have exciting plans to build a best-in-class acute inpatient facility on the Lynfield Mount Hospital site. The phased development will replace the existing central building, to create a modern, safe, therapeutic and inclusive patient environment.

The plans, which have been co-created with staff, service users, families and stakeholders, will see a phased development of the facility that will serve communities across Bradford and Craven, working alongside our other hospital, the Airedale Centre for Mental Health.

We’re now waiting to hear if we’ve been selected for national Government funding that we need to start the development work.

Why it needs to change

Lynfield’s central building was developed in the 1960s, with a 1950s design, when attitudes to mental health were very different.

The current design reflects the institutionalised and restrictive mental health care that none of us would recognise today.  As a result, ward bathrooms have to be shared by 21 patients and ward layouts make it difficult for staff to observe all areas.

There is very little recreational space and despite efforts to reduce carbon emissions, they are still too high.  Critically, the building does not support patient recovery and wellbeing, contributing to longer length of stays, despite the excellent care given by our staff.

Our regulator, the Care Quality Commission, rated the quality of care as ‘good’, but stated the building is ‘not fit for purpose’.  One former patient said ‘it was individuals (staff) rather than the place itself’ that supported their recovery, whilst a patient representative said ’as someone who has been using mental health services for 35 years …. it’s clear that despite the caring staff, the old Lynfield building just doesn’t support quick recovery’.

What the new facility will offer   

The new facility will provide a bright, welcoming main reception area for all, more therapeutic spaces, wards with safer bed numbers, and all beds will have en-suites.

Safe outdoor garden spaces and recreational areas will support patient recovery and wellbeing, with additional areas for community use.

The proposed £90 million redevelopment will achieve the NHS net-zero carbon standards and wider economic benefits.

These include investments in local training, skills and suppliers, whilst reducing out-of-area bed placements and the high maintenance costs for the current site.

By eliminating our repairs backlog and cutting our high maintenance costs, the building would pay for itself in just four years.

What next

We’re in the running to be one of just eight new hospital buildings in England to get national investment in the New Hospitals Programme.   We hope we will have a final decision this year as part of the Government’s wider commitment to ‘parity of esteem’ for mental health.

As Andy Bell, Deputy Chief Executive, Centre for Mental Health, said: “….People at their most unwell are being treated in environments that risk creating further traumatic experiences and that undermine their dignity and human rights. We urgently need to see fair and equal investment in the mental health estate, on a par with the rest of the NHS.”