OLDER people requiring long-term mental health care in a north Durham community have moved into improved accommodation.

Patients from a small unit in Stanley, which provided long-term care and treatment for older people with mental health needs, have exchanged their cramped living environment for more modern and spacious accommodation.

The move followed a three-month public consultation, which ended in September, on plans to provide continuing care services for older people with mental health problems in the Louisa Wing of Stanfield House, Stanley.

The proposals were put forward by County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust and Derwentside Primary Care Trust (PCT), both of whom had concerns about the suitability of the unit.

According to the PCT, Stanfield House was very isolated and cramped.

Feedback from psychiatrists and nurses, as well as relatives and carers, confirmed concerns about the unit.

The PCT said there was a general agreement that the unit did not provide a suitable environment and relatives and carers of the residents living at Stanfield House were supportive of the proposed move.

The individual needs of each of the seven patients were assessed by a psychiatrist and then discussed with their relatives and carers, before final decisions on their new accommodation were made.

The patients have now moved to accommodation either on the Earls House Hospital site in Durham or in an independent sector nursing home.

Lesley Crawford, director of mental health services for older people at County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust, said: "Our aim is to ensure that our patients receive the most appropriate level of care in the most appropriate environment.

"Louisa Wing did not and could not provide the type of environment that is needed for vulnerable older people with often challenging mental health care needs.

"I am pleased that we are now able to provide our patients with much improved accommodation that is better suited to their needs."