I AM delighted that the Place of Safety Section 136 Suite at Bootham Hospital, which will care for people with mental health issues who are detained by North Yorkshire Police Force, is now open.

City of York Council’s Health and Wellbeing board gave clear direction to the NHS property company not to delay the procedures that were required to complete the process, which included planning and building regulations due to the listed status of the building. The council did all it could not to slow down this part of the process, while ensuring protocol was maintained.

It was also encouraging to see that the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group was able to commit to the funding that had been previously withheld by the Primary Care Trust. Thanks is also due to the Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and North Yorkshire Police Force for their support.

The opening of the suite demonstrates true partnership working and the effectiveness of the new structures, including the Health and Wellbeing Board, working together for the benefit of the health of our city’s residents.

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, Chair of Health and Wellbeing board, City of York Council.