CONSULTATION has started into proposed changes to dementia care services at two hospitals.

The Tees, Esk and Wear Valley (TEWV) NHS Foundation Trust currently provides assessment and treatment beds across three inpatient wards – two ten-bed wards at Auckland Park Hospital, in Bishop Auckland, and one ten-bed ward at the Bowes Lyon Unit, at the Lanchester Road Hospital, in Durham.

Under the new proposals, the number of wards would reduce from three to two, but would still maintain 30 beds.

The local NHS clinical commissioning groups Darlington CCG, Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield CCG and North Durham CCG are consulting on three possible options.

Option one is to locate both wards - one male and one female - at Auckland Park Hospital and close the Picktree Ward in Durham; option two would provide separate male and female wards on separate sites - one ward at Bishop Auckland, one ward at Durham and closing the second one at Bishop Auckland; option three would provide a mixed gender ward at Bishop Auckland and a mixed gender ward in Durham, closing the other ward at Bishop Auckland.

The preferred option of mental health professionals at TEWV is to have separate male and female wards at Bishop Auckland.

Clinicians say that patients with advanced dementia often display challenging behaviour that can be socially and sexually disinhibited and that having separate gender wards provide environments where patients can be cared for safely, with dignity, and where vulnerable patients can be protected.

Elizabeth Moody, director of nursing and governance at TEWV, said: “Some people, often those with very complex needs, need to spend short periods in hospital and it’s important that we provide them with the best possible environment, as near to their families as possible.

“However, we must also make sure that we make the best use of taxpayers’ money and use our limited resources as effectively as possible.

“By reducing the number of wards from three to two, whilst maintaining the same number of beds, we can save up to £454,000 per year.”

Dr Neil O’Brien, clinical chief officer at NHS North Durham CCG, added: “We have not yet made a decision on the location of these wards and we need the views of local people to help us decide.”

Public consultation runs until March 28 and public meetings will take place in Derwentside, Bishop Auckland, Darlington and Seaham.

For information about meetings or providing feedback, visit northdurhamccg.nhs.uk, darlingtonccg.nhs.uk, durhamdaleseasingtonsedgefieldccg.nhs.uk or tewv.nhs.co.uk.

Call North Durham’s CCG’s engagement team on 0191-389-8617.