THE transfer is underway of elderly patients with mental health problems from what a health trust describes as "out-dated accommodation".

Six patients are this week being moved from the Lindisfarne ward, at Shotley Bridge Hospital, near Consett, to the purpose-built Bowes Lyon unit, at the Earls House Hospital site, in Lanchester Road, near Durham City.

As part of The Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust's plans to improve services for older people in north Durham, it aims to ensure as many as possible are able to receive the treatment and support in or near their own homes.

Given the 14-mile distance between the two facilities, the trust is to make support available for families experiencing transport difficulties following the transfer from Shotley Bridge.

The trust said the Lindisfarne ward closure followed agreement with County Durham Primary Care Trust and Durham County Council, plus "detailed and individual discussions" with affected patients and their families.

This led to the offer to assist relatives experiencing difficulty travelling to Durham.

The trust believes investment in community services and changes in service delivery are beginning to "pay off", with a reduction in the number of people needing to spend time in hospital.

But, for patients requiring hospital care, it seeks to provide accommodation meeting specific needs.

This includes having separate units for treating people with illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease and those with depression.

But it is not feasible at the 15-bed Lindisfarne ward, making it difficult to meet individual patients’ needs.

Les Morgan, the trust's chief operating officer, said the reduction in the number of in-patients means the 30-bed Bowes Lyon unit is able to accommodate the small number of people from the Derwentside area needing to spend time in hospital.

He said the trust has, in recent years, worked hard to develop and improve mental health services available to the elderly.

"We have already made significant progress in Derwentside and are supporting many more people in their own homes, " added Mr Morgan.

A new £18m unit for adult patients and those with learning disabilities is planned to open on the Lanchester Road site, next month.