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Patients with severe psychiatric conditions are still being forced to sleep on sofas at a mental health center in Belfast, despite the discovery of significant building issues. The Acute Mental Health Inpatient Centre, which cost £33 million to build just six years ago, has been plagued by problems since its inception. Previous reports have highlighted rot, black mold, and leaky pipes within the facility, with the entire water system now requiring replacement – a project expected to add millions of pounds to the existing repair costs. Despite these challenges, the Belfast Health Trust has stated that no patients have had to be relocated due to the building issues, and repairs to damaged bedrooms are set to be completed shortly.
The center, located at Belfast City Hospital, offers 74 acute mental health en-suite bedrooms, including six psychiatric intensive care beds. Following the revelation of leaking pipes causing £4 million worth of damage in September, further investigation uncovered extensive damage throughout the building. Leaking pipes saturated floors, corroded walls, and led to the growth of mold, leading to closures and repairs. The ongoing issues have stretched the capacity of the unit, resulting in patients having to sleep on sofas while repairs are being carried out.
Efforts have been made to temporarily rehome patients at Knockbracken Healthcare Park, although this plan has yet to be implemented. The Belfast Trust is currently seeking legal advice to determine liability for the building failures, which were constructed by Graham BAM Healthcare Partnership (GBHP). In response to the building failures, the trust is working with legal experts to conduct a comprehensive review of the water system and identify accountability for the costly remediation work. Additionally, concerns have been raised about potential ligature risks within the facility, prompting the need for door replacements to ensure patient safety
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