Opposition is building against proposals to transform a care home into a specialist Rehab Hospital in Rhyl.
Medirose Ltd have acquired the former care home, known as Sandy Lodge, on Dyserth Road and a refurbishment programme is underway.
Medirose Ltd say the newly revamped Sandy Lodge will be able to provide a service for up to 22 people and will provide specialist mental health and learning disability services.
A description on their website reads: “We aim to provide time-limited, usually 12-18 months, evidence-based therapeutic programs with a view to help our service users moving on to less restrictive and more independent placements, and hence reduce the need for more expensive placement options.
“The newly refurbished Sandy Lodge will be able to provide a service for up to 22 people. It is intended to provide specialist mental health and/or learning disability services to enable local people to access high-quality care as close to their families and social networks as possible.”
An application has been submitted to Denbighshire County Council to create a two storey extension to rear and single storey sun lounge extension to existing annex to provide additional living accommodation and office space.
This will be used in conjunction with the nursing home including formation of additional window/door openings, installation of solar panels and associated works.
The agents are JPH Architects Ltd.
Some residents are against the plans and have set up ‘Sandy Lodge Opposition Group’ on Facebook.
A poster states: “Medirose Healthcare are planning to open and operate a private psychiatric hospital at the former Sandy Lodge Care Home on Dyserth Road. Their website stated that it would accept referrals for patients with a history of assault, sexual assault, fire-setting and self-harm. They will accept patients sectioned under the mental health act.
“Is this the correct location for such a facility?”
Zoom meetings are being held with Rhyl South East Ward councillors Cheryl Williams, Brian Jones and Brian Blakeley.
Consultation responses to the application include residents calling on the Medirose for more information.
One resident wrote: “We would like clarification on the term nursing home and the type of residents that will be cared for in the home. There are rumours that this is going to be a secure hospital.”
Another person commented: “The location of a facility such as this in a densely populated residential area alongside a successful day nursery is entirely inappropriate.”
Another person wrote: “In regards to the further application for the property to become a complex mental hospital, I would also like some clarification as to what this exactly means.
“This is a residential area and I do not feel the property and the grounds are secure enough for this.”
The Journal is making attempts to contact Medirose Ltd.
Article originally appeared on Rhyl Journal
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