The announcement that the Lowfields school site being considered as a possible location for a new mental health hospital has prompted questions about other health facilities in Acomb
Acomb Garth NHS choices web site review
Acomb Garth (Gables) on Oak Rise already provides mental health services for Acomb. There is no recent report by the CQC commission on Acomb Garth. Acomb Garth was reported to be changing its role with a view to providing dementia care services from March. But little information has subsequently been made public.
The Trust web site still lists it as providing a HQ for community mental health services
No change has been made to registration documentation, with the “NHS choices web site” not even quoting correctly the responsible NHS Trust (now Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust). There is even confusion about the name (Acomb Gables/Garth).
Trust web site Acomb Gables review
The Trust describe the work at the Garth/Gables as follows:
Acomb Gables Recovery Unit is a 16 bed adult inpatient unit, for men and women from York, Selby and the surrounding areas.
This inpatient service works closely with clients, community mental health team, family and friends.
The site offers:
- one to one work around psycho-social interventions
- an evolving therapy group programme and activity programme
- support with activities of daily living and meaningful activity and employment
- a wide range of opportunities is made available to access employment; housing; and occupation including voluntary work.
Adjacent to the Garth/Gables is the Acomb Medical Centre.
The Beech Grove GP practice, which is located there, has recently announced a merger with a practice based on Front Street. “It is proposed that the Beech Grove premises, currently in Acomb Health Centre would close and the newly merged practice would be situated at 14 Front Street, Acomb. This is the current premises of Front Street Surgery”. The change is expected to take place in October.
So it appears there will be vacant space on the Oak Rise/Beech Grove site.
Whether this would be a suitable location for a new hospital is another matter.
Transport links in central Acomb are better than Lowfields but neither approaches the range and flexibility of options available in the city centre.
