A DEMENTIA assessment unit has now been transferred from Airedale Hospital to Bradford.

Campaigners fought unsuccessfully to keep the facility on Ward 24 at the Steeton site.

And last Thursday, the move took place to a new £2.5 million unit at Lynfield Mount Hospital.

It has taken in the 16 patients from Ward 24 and more than 30 staff – including 11 staff nurses, therapy support workers and an occupational therapist.

At the Lynfield Mount premises, a reminiscence board is located by the door of each room, where family and friends can put photographs from the patient's past to make them feel more at home.

Ten large murals feature landmark sites across the district, including Haworth Main Street.

It also includes a quiet lounge for families to relax and an activity room for patients to meet up and also to take part in one-to-one therapy sessions.

The dementia patients will come from across Bradford, Airedale and Craven to stay at the unit.

An open day was held last week to give people the chance to view the facilities.

Paula Whittaker, whose father has moved to the unit, said: "It looks fab.

"The mural of Haworth Main Street brings lots of wonderful memories back for my family. It's somewhere both my mum and dad enjoyed.

"I'm really impressed with the space. It's light, airy and modern."

Among those at the official opening was designer Annie Pollock, director of landscape design and architecture at the University of Stirling’s dementia services development centre.

She said: "It's vitally important people who are acutely unwell with dementia can be assessed in the best possible environment.

"Practical and familiar elements, such as clocks, soft fabric and outdoor spaces, all contribute to making the patient feel as comfortable and as at home as possible."

The building is circular in shape so none of the patients can get lost and also has wider corridors so they can have assistance from staff.

Patients stay at the state-of-the-art unit for three months until they are given a relocation package to other sites, which may include nursing homes.

Allison Bingham, deputy director of specialist inpatient services, who will oversee the site, said: "It's very exciting. We have even gone beyond the regulations for this. It is a 24/7 service here and is a tremendously innovative unit."

Jacquie Edwards, ward manager, says it is an exciting time for the Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, as the new unit opens its doors.

She added: “It's a world-class facility. I'm thrilled to bits it has opened."