Wales' Health Minister Edwina Hart has officially opened a development in Swansea designed by Boyes Rees Architects to enable people with mental health conditions to recover and increase their independence.

The development, which replaces outdated facilities at Cefn Coed Hospital, has been funded by £10 million from the Welsh Assembly Government and was constructed by Interserve.

The project is being developed under the 'Design for Life' supply chain framework, as initiated by the Welsh Assembly Government and operated by Welsh Health Estates.

It forms part of the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board plans to improve mental health facilities in Swansea.

Chris Jones, Architect and Director at Boyes Rees said: "The five building development has accommodation for a total of 26 patients undergoing the later phases of rehabilitation.

"The 'slow stream' facility offers a comfortable and uplifting environment for patients - who will often by required to stay for long periods of time, 18 months or longer, and which helps promote self confidence and independence, a pivotal element in the rehabilitation process.

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"It also includes two four-bed 'step down' houses to provide people with the support and care they need before going back into the wider community."

The house designs are typical of modern day housing, offering patients the greatest possible independence in a familiar setting. The units also contain discreet staff support facilities, enabling careful in-house observation and on-hand help if required.

Chris continued: "It is essential that all the units are uplifting for the users. Regular views out and access into well used landscaped gardens is a key theme in promoting patient and staff wellbeing. This combined with the light, colour, air and sense of space within the units help to provide an architecture that contributes to the healing process."

Both units have been designed to integrate with proposed future housing that will sit adjacent to the site, as well as with existing neighbouring properties, with the aim of creating a fluid urban development.

Also at Cefn Coed Hospital and designed by Boyes Rees, construction has commenced on a £18.5 million Assembly Government-funded 60-bed intermediate mental health unit for older people which will sit adjacent to the Slow Stream unit.

Chris added: "The three 20-bed wards will provide specialist assessment, treatment and rehabilitation services for older patients with dementia and other mental health conditions."

Win Griffiths, Chair of Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, added: "We are delighted these wonderful new facilities at Cefn Coed Hospital are now open and ready to begin supporting our patients.

"The service will help patients develop existing and new skills, and increase their confidence so they can live a full and independent life."

The building scored an 'excellent' rating by the project stakeholders, users at key design review using the NHS Achieving Excellence Design Evaluation Toolkit.

Other health projects worked on by Boyes Rees include the Children’s Hospital for Wales, Cardiff, the Breast Care Centre at Prince Phillip Hospital, Llanelli, the new Mental Health Unit at Llandough Hospital, Vale of Glamorgan, and the Burns & Plastics centre at Morriston Hospital, Swansea.