A new mental health hospital which has opened in Rhyl has been applauded by politicians who visited it this week and were impressed that it will be providing much needed support to people with mental health issues from the area, as well as providing jobs for local people. 

The independently run Seren Gobaith, which is situated at 64 Brighton Road, opened its doors on Monday to Leader of the Welsh Conservatives and Clwyd West MS Darren Millar, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Vale of Clwyd MS Gareth Davies, and Rhyl East County Councillor Justine Evans.   

The three had a meeting with manager Sophie Carter and Social Worker, Debbie Hunt, and were also given a tour of the new facility, during which they met and spoke with other staff.  

The new hospital, which held an open day to the public last month on May 15th, provides 62 beds for patients across five wards with ensuite facilities in each room.

Commenting after the visit, Darren said: 

“It was evident from being shown around the hospital that it has been very well designed and will provide patients with the secure, but comfortable, setting needed to promote their healing and well-being.    

“Having visited other secure units in the past where there was risk for harm in patients’ own rooms, I was extremely impressed that at Seren Gobaith no stone has been left unturned in ensuring patient safety. 

“I was pleased to be told that the manager Sophie is from Rhyl, as are many of the other staff working at the hospital. To date the hospital has employed 100 staff members, many with years of experience under their belts. 

“I was also pleased to learn that many of the patients will be from the area. Often patients from Denbighshire needing access to mental health support are being treated outside the area because, prior to Seren Gobaith opening, there just wasn’t the provision here to deal with them. 

“It was a very informative and useful visit and I look forward to returning later in the year when hopefully it is being well utilised. 

“It is also good to see such huge private investment in Rhyl, providing not only a first-rate mental health facility, but also a substantial number of quality jobs. Having spent months training and preparing, staff are now ready and eager for the arrival of patients and I wish them the very best of luck.” 

Gareth Davies MS said: 

“It was truly a pleasure to return to Seren Gobaith since its opening and see the finished product, with excellent high-spec facilities offering the very best support to those facing mental health challenges in North Wales.

“For too long, local people have had to travel long distances to receive the support they need. Seren Gobaith changes that by offering top-tier care and facilities close to home, in a safe, and welcoming environment.

“It was encouraging to meet Sophie and the team, many of whom are from the local area, with their professionalism and compassion clearly evident during our tour of the hospital.

“This new hospital represents a major step forward for mental health provision in Rhyl and across North Wales, whilst boosting our local economy and providing up to 150 jobs.

“I look forward to seeing the positive outcomes it will deliver in the months and years ahead.”

Councillor Justine Evans said: 

“I know that when plans for this new hospital first went public there was understandably considerable apprehension from people living close by. I therefore welcomed the Open Day which the hospital held last month to provide members of the local community with an opportunity to find out more about the aims of the hospital and the type of patients that will be treated there.    

“Sadly, despite awareness raising campaigns, there remains much stigma attached to mental health, and I think people were concerned that patients could be a risk to the local community, but from visiting the hospital and viewing all the private rooms, communal spaces, and outdoor space, it is evident that this is most definitely not the case. 

“People with mental health issues should not have to travel miles from their homes and loved ones to receive the help and support they need. Having this hospital here in Rhyl will mean that they no longer need to. 

“I thank Sophie and the rest of the team for providing us with a deeper understanding of their work and the patients that will be admitted to the hospital.” 

Manager Sophie said:

"As the Hospital Manager at Seren Gobaith, I am incredibly proud to respond to the support and recognition our new facility has received from local and regional leaders.

"The opening of Seren Gobaith marks a significant turning point in mental health care provision not only in Rhyl but across North Wales. Our aim is simple: to bring compassionate, safe, and high-quality mental health support closer to home for those who need it most.

"For too long, individuals in our community experiencing mental health crises have been forced to seek treatment far from their families and support networks. That changes now. With 62 beds spread across five purpose-built wards, all featuring ensuite facilities, we are now able to offer secure yet therapeutic environments where healing can truly begin.

"I want to thank Darren Millar MS, Gareth Davies MS, and Councillor Justine Evans for taking the time to visit, listen, and understand the vision behind Seren Gobaith. Their encouraging words affirm the importance of reducing stigma and creating spaces where mental health is treated with the dignity and urgency it deserves."

Seren Gobaith was built at a site which was previously used for benefits offices for Denbighshire County Council. It has remained empty since being vacated by the County Council in March 2017. 

Construction of the mental health facility finished shortly before Christmas.