Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central welcomes the opening of Foss Park Hospital, on Haxby Road. The new purpose-built hospital supporting people experiencing mental health challenges can accommodate 72 inpatients, set in 6.5 acres of grounds, along with numerous vocational and therapeutic areas in a friendly, caring and therapeutic environment.
Rachael Maskell has fully engaged with the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley (TEWV) Trust since the sudden closure of Bootham Park Hospital in September 2015. She has since debated Bootham Park Hospital in Parliament and has seen changes as to the way that the regulatory bodies operate across the NHS, to ensure that sudden closures like this cannot reoccur. Her concern has always been for those experiencing mental health challenges, and how they should have the support they need in the right settings, and as a Vice Chair of the APPG on Mental Health, she continues to make this case.
The new hospital comprises of four inpatient wards – two adult, single sex wards and two older people’s wards one for patients with dementia and a ward specifically for people with mental health conditions such as psychosis, severe depression or anxiety. With the hospital complete, Rachael will turn her attention to how community services are delivered across the city, not least over the coming months as we go through this challenging time.
Rachael Maskell MP said “I am delighted that Foss Park Hospital is finally ready to opening to ensure people get the support needed. Since the sudden closure of Bootham Park Hospital in 2015, I have worked closely with the mental health Trust to ensure that York has therapeutic mental health facilities. I want people to have the very best mental health care, and Foss Park is one part of this with its inpatient and outpatient facilities.
“Foss Park Hospital and the community outreach services must now provide access to the highest quality mental health care available with these new facilities to support patients, families and carers. I am sure that the staff will now work closely with families to foster a positive therapeutic environment.
“I look forward to visiting the site in the future and speaking with the staff and service users to hear first hand of their experiences of the new facility and thank Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust for their work in delivering this new unit for the city.”