A NEW mental health unit for children and young people in York will mean more youngsters can get help while staying near to their family and friends. Health reporter Kate Liptrot visits Mill Lodge.

WHEN inspectors visited Lime Trees - a mental health unit for children and young people - they found the old building was not fit for purpose.

The overcrowded unit in Shipton Road was simply too small for the level of demand it faced. It lacked clearly defined male and female living areas and was inaccessible for disabled patients, inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said.

"Patients, staff and visitors were not protected against the risks of unsafe or unsuitable premises," inspectors said, "We have judged that this has a moderate impact on people who use the service, and have told the provider to take action."

The problems in York emerged as it was reported nationally that increasing numbers of children and young people were being treated on adult wards - sometimes many miles from home - due to chronic underfunding in mental health care for children.

But just a year on from the inspection in York, good news has come in the form of a £1.2 million refurbishment of a former care home for elderly people next to Huntington School. The re-opening of the unit for children and young people increases the number of inpatient beds available in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in York from nine to 16 - meaning more young people with mental health issues in the city can stay within their local community and be near their families.

"We are pleased this has opened, " Frank Griffiths, the chairman of Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said while being shown round the airy and bright new ward.

"What was previously on offer was unacceptable for the 21st Century. My personal view is this is a group of people in our midst for whom the NHS has not offered the service they are entitled to.

"This is a beacon for services elsewhere. This is the service they are entitled to expect."

Some of the young people who have gathered in a lounge playing dominoes and chatting are being treated for conditions including eating disorders, depression and anxiety, with the support of a staff of about 25 nursing staff and access to experts including psychologists and psychiatrists, occupational therapists and a family therapist.

While Lime Trees in Shipton Road remains open, it now offers a day service for young people.

The refurbished building centres on two large courtyards, with a day unit including bright school rooms, a kitchen, public and private dining rooms, a quiet room and consultation rooms.

Meanwhile the accommodation quarters are modern bedrooms with sinks and anti ligature furniture.

The wheels were quickly put in motion to refurbish Mill Lodge at a cost of £1,159,612 following the publication of the critical report.

Ruth Jamieson, project manager for NHS Property Services led the NHS England-funded project and worked closely with local young people to ensure the site was developed around their needs and interests.

She said: “It’s been great working with the young service users who have been involved since the beginning of the project; choosing colours, furnishings, fixtures and fittings to ensure we provide a finished environment that is comfortable, safe and personal to them.

“I’m really pleased with the finished 16 bed CAMHS unit and its associated facilities and I hope that the new building and environmental improvements will greatly enhance the experience for young people and their families.”

Mill Lodge is currently home to 11 young people aged from 12 to 18, but the unit can take another five. Young people stay an average of two to three months.

Professor Barry Wright, clinical director of services, said he is confident that this will lead to better outcomes for young people in York and North Yorkshire.

He said: “We are very proud to be making significant improvements for young people who need residential care. We are constantly striving to improve services for young people with serious mental health problems.

We have listened carefully to young people themselves in designing a facility which will take us into the 21st century. We thank the community for all their support with this. ”