A MENTAL health hospital is preparing to start treating patients again after reopening under a new name.

The former West Lane Hospital, in Middlesbrough, has been renamed Acklam Road Hospital, and its ward for children and adolescents has been taken over by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW).

Previously run by Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust, it has been closed since 2019, when it was rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission.

The renamed Lotus ward will start admitting patients later this month and will bring young people back to Teesside if they are currently receiving out-of-area treatment.

John Lawlor, CNTW chief executive, said: "There is enormous pressure on specialist mental health inpatient services for young people at the moment, and when children and young people have to be sent out of area for mental health support this can be distressing for them and their families.

"This is why re-establishing Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) beds in Teesside is so important."

The facility, which will treat young people aged between 13-18, has been refurbished and officially opened this week, though no patients will be admitted for several weeks while the team carries out scenario-based exercises to test the environment.

Following the "test period," admissions onto the ward will be staggered, building up to the service working at its full 10-bed capacity.

Gary O’Hare, executive director of nursing and chief operating officer at CNTW, said: “We are taking this staggered approach to ensure that the service is delivered as safely and effectively as possible.

“We’re aiming to balance taking on new admissions with bringing patients back to the region who are currently placed for treatment out-of-area.”

The refurbished facility will offer patients access to three outdoor spaces, a gym, activity rooms and classrooms.

The trust added that "extensive work" had been done to engage with clients and their families and carers to design the new service.

Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald said: "I am pleased that there will now be a much-needed CAMHS inpatient facility in Middlesbrough. It was inevitable that any resumption of services would have to be restarted under a different NHS Trust.

"This will give patients, families and staff the fresh start that has been so badly needed."

There are currently a number of independent investigations following incidents at TEWV. A quality improvement board is being put in place to address failings, with a further review expected to take place next month.