MENTAL health services in Pwllheli are to be relocated to an old school as the town’s hospital undergoes a major modernisation.

Work is set to begin at Ysbyty Bryn Beryl to improve the environment for patients and staff, with the introduction of six new inpatient beds.

The work, which will cost around £500,000, will be undertaken in a staged approach over the next two years with the first phase set to begin in August and completed by the end of March 2019.

The work will include the full upgrade of the Hafan Unit to create a new ward area, as well as bringing together the Hafan Unit Dementia Day Assessment Service and the Ala Road Dementia Day Assessment Service into refurbished accommodation at the back of the hospital.

Bed numbers will temporarily reduce by one during the first phase of the work. However, it is planned to undertake a new ward extension to Hafan in the second phase of the work enabling the creation of a single 30-bed ward, up from the current number of 24.

Rhona Jones, matron of Ysbyty Bryn Beryl, said: “All of us here at Ysbyty Bryn Beryl are looking forward to seeing the work starting at the hospital.

“The work will create a much more modern facility for staff and our patients and also expand our services for our patients and individuals living with dementia.

“We are incredibly pleased that the health board is investing in Ysbyty Bryn Beryl for the future of our local community. It’s very positive news.”

Whilst the work is in progress, both Dementia Day Services on Hafan Unit and on Ala Road will re-locate to the former Ysgol Hafod Lon in Y Ffôr.

They will then transfer to the refurbished accommodation at the back of the Bryn Beryl site.

Chris Lynes, west area nurse director for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “We are delighted to announce that the work to bring Llyn and Dwyfor wards together and to integrate local Older People’s Mental Health & Dementia Day Assessment Services will begin in August.

“The Ala Road Older People’s Mental Health Day Assessment service is currently housed in poor accommodation. The relocation of this service to join the Hafan Day Assessment Service in refurbished accommodation in Ysbyty Bryn Beryl will be very positive for patients and staff and benefit the service as a whole.

“We are grateful to Gwynedd Council for their support in identifying temporary accommodation for both services whilst the refurbishment work is being carried out.”