Hospital revamp to meet needs of ageing population

The changes at Mount Gould are expected bring about 1,000 outpatient appointments a year

A Plymouth hospital will be redeveloped to meet the growing demand for rehabilitation and mental health services in the region, it has been announced.

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust and Livewell Southwest said the changes at Mount Gould Hospital were important as the population gets older.

It means wards for general rehabilitation at Mount Gould will be merged and wards for stroke rehabilitation and male mental health rehabilitation expanded.

The changes were expected to reduce pressure on Derriford Hospital, with about 1,000 outpatient appointments a year at the new centre, said health chiefs.

The aim of the revamp supports a shift toward home-based recovery, addresses shortages in stroke and mental health beds, and prepares for a 20% rise in the ageing population over the next decade, said the trust.

Mark Hackett, interim chief executive of University Hospitals Plymouth, and Michelle Thomas, chief executive of Livewell Southwest, said in a joint statement: "This is an opportunity to make Mount Gould a major community hub and provide specialist care closer to home."

The first phase of the transformation was set to begin later this year.