Langdon Hospital, Dawlish, which provides forensic mental health and learning disability services for Devon and Cornwall, is to benefit from a major £40 million rebuilding programme. It is being made possible through a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) in which the NHS will lease the new facility from the private sector and is designed to transform patient services. Many are treated as far away as Norfolk because of the lack of beds at Langdon. The new plan aims to increase the number from 70 to 98. Devon Partnership NHS Trust has submitted a planning application to demolish all the buildings on site that have lain derelict for years and replace them with new and better ones. If approved, the revamped hospital's learning disability team will gain additional medium-secure, low-secure and open beds and the mental health team will gain long-term medium-secure beds. Staff numbers could rise from 250 to 345 by 2010 with half of those being qualified nurses, occupational therapists, doctors and other health professionals. Jo Ballantyne, trust directorate manager for forensic services, said: 'This is an endorsement of Langdon's future, a commitment to bring it up to present-day standards. 'We need to acknowledge that the current facilities don't meet those standards either for staff or clients and when the redevelopment is complete we'll be able to offer a more efficient and cheaper service and one that is more convenient for visiting friends and relatives.' Ms Ballantyne said Stour and Dart Wards would be demolished and the Butler Clinic, built more than 20 years ago, would be replaced. The building will be converted for other uses. 'We've learned many lessons since the early 80s and we want to offer clients something with more natural daylight and better ventilation,' she said. 'Our overall plans are based on three main thrusts; to increase capacity, to provide staff and clients with modern environments that meet their needs and to capitalise and protect the beautiful site and landscape we have at Langdon.' Teignbridge Council Development Control Committee is expected to consider the application next month.
