A RECENTLY-OPENED mental health hospital is being hailed by medical trusts across England as an example of good practice.

Only six months after opening, a report has revealed that West Park Hospital in Darlington is at the forefront of inpatient mental health care, and has been praised by health professionals, patients and staff.

The report, by County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust, also shows that other health authorities from across the country requested the plans for the model and design of West Park, to use as a base for similar units.

The £20m hospital, off West Auckland Road, in the Faverdale area of the town, opened in December last year. It has 60 bedrooms for adult acute services, seven for rehabilitation, 24 for older people's services and ten intensive care beds.

Adult services and staff levels have been increased since the transfer of services from Darlington Memorial Hospital to help West Park achieve a high reputation.

Each ward in the hospital has its own occupational therapist - a four-fold increase in previous staffing levels - and a senior nurse with responsibility for clinical services is on duty at all times.

Consultant psychiatrists have also been recruited.

The report also says there has been a vast overall improvement in the quality of service for elderly people, in comparison to that provided in the Beaumont ward at the Memorial Hospital.

Action plans have already been made to develop systems and practices further, and improvements are currently being implemented.

A patient and visitor survey revealed positive comments about patients' "private and secure" rooms, and praise for the "homely" touch that each ward has and the fact that patients have direct access to the gardens. The on-site pharmacy was also given positive feedback.

Harry Cronin, director of adult mental health and nursing services with the NHS trust, compiled the report.

He said: "We are very proud of our new hospital. Both the quality of the environment and the quality of care we provide place us at the forefront of mental health services."