A LONG-awaited temporary replacement for Bootham Park Hospital is due to open in York on Monday.

Peppermill Court, off Huntington Road, had been due to open last month but a fire meant it was delayed as building work was carried out.

The opening of the unit will mean people in need of mental health inpatient treatment will not have to be sent out of area as regularly to be treated. Since the sudden closure of Bootham Park Hospital a year ago, people who needed to be admitted to hospital have been allocated places elsewhere, mainly in Roseberry Park in Middlesbrough.

It is now hoped some of these patients can be moved back to the new facilities at Peppermill Court - where £1,236,000 has been spent on transforming the former elderly peoples’ unit over the last six months.

Ruth Hill, director of operations for Tees and Esk Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We understand how difficult it’s been for service users and their families.

“Over the last 12 months we’ve done all we can to support people, including helping with travel arrangements and costs but we know it hasn’t been easy.

“Bringing adult beds back to York has been our priority and we’re delighted that Peppermill Court will re-open on Monday as a 24-bed adult inpatient unit.”

The male and female wards each have 12 single bedrooms and direct access to gardens.

>>> FLASHBACK: York's new hospital unit, inside and out

Service users, carers and staff were involved in the refurbishment of the unit. They worked with the architect on the design and helped to choose the furnishings, colour scheme and artwork for the walls.

A team of about 20 staff, including nurses and occupational therapists, as well as consultants will be based at Peppermill Court.

Debate continues over where the permanent replacement for Bootham should be, with a string of public consultation events planned.

They include an event at New Earswick Folk Hall, from 3pm to 5pm and 5.30pm to 7.30pm on October 24, and one at the Priory Street Centre in York from 2.30 to 4.30pm and 5 to 7pm on November 8.

For more information about these and other consultation events, visit http://www.tewv.nhs.uk/site/get-involved/consultations/new-mental-health-hospital-for-Vale-of-York