A state-of-the-art mental health unit which aims to give patients a “modern, therapeutic and recovery-focused environment” has been opened in South Wales.

Hafan y Coed, which is based at the University Hospital Llandough site, has been described as a first-class facility which will help create a calm and relaxed atmosphere for patients.

The £88m unit will replace the “outdated” 108-year-old Whitchurch Hospital site which NHS staff say was falling into a state of disrepair.

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First glimpse of Hafan y Coed, a new mental health facility at University Hospital Llandough

The new hospital includes access to a variety of “therapeutic spaces” including garden areas, gym facilities, outdoor fitness equipment, and a multi-use games area to enhance recovery for patients during their stay.

And, unlike Whitchurch, patients are able to open windows in their bedrooms and have access to their own en-suite facilities.

Mental health clinical board nurse and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Jayne Tottle, described the new site as “magnificent”.

Whitchurch Hospital in Cardiff

She said: “Mental health has always been a Cinderella service and it has never had parity with physical health but now that’s changing.

“I first came to Whitchurch Hospital in 1981 as a student nurse. It was as big, imposing building where you could hear the sound of banging and rattling keys.

“The care was still good but the environment made it more difficult. Towards the end the hospital was falling apart at the seams.

“Whitchurch filled patients with despair but this new building at Llandough is very welcoming.

“It has a beautiful entrance, it’s really bright and airy, and I’m sure it will help reduce stigma around mental illness as it’s next-door to the main Llandough hospital site.”

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First glimpse of Hafan y Coed, a new mental health facility at University Hospital Llandough. A mural in a communal garden

Patients and staff had a significant part to play in the design of the building and more than 40 works of art adorn the walls to inspire patients to recover as quickly as possible.

A Reassurance Observation System (ROS) has been installed in each of the bedrooms which means staff can monitor patients via a video screen outside the room.

Staff believe the new system will stop them from disturbing patients while they are asleep and will therefore aid their recovery.

A Reassurance Observation System (ROS) at Hafan Y Coed

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board say the images are not recorded and the system will produce no more infringement upon privacy than the traditional method currently used.

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Mum Rony Wood needed several stays in Whitchurch Hospital in a bid to combat her crippling depression and bipolar disorder.

She said it was a “scary” experience walking into the dilapidated Victorian hospital.

“It was very smelly and it felt almost like a prison. I went in there crying and wanting to run away,” said the 44-year-old.

“In Whitchurch the atmosphere was punitive but in Hafan y Coed it feels nurturing. It’s incredible.

“I think people would be relieved to come here and want to strive to get better.

“We have gone from having the worst hospital in the UK to the best. It’s now the job of the health practitioners to raise their standards in line with the environment.”

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Additional facilities throughout the unit include access to single-sex sitting rooms, quiet areas, and visitor rooms.

Annie Procter, clinical board director for mental health, said: “Hafan y Coed is a first-class facility which will enable our staff to provide the care and support that service users deserve when they are feeling unwell.

“It means that people with a mental health illness will now receive the treatment they need in a facility which is calming, warming, welcoming and will help facilitate their recovery.

“The key to the success of this unit is allowing service users to have a degree of independence, despite them being in a hospital environment, which is reflected in the individual bedrooms, en-suite facilities, and outside spaces.”