A FORMER valleys district hospital will be transformed into a state-of-the-art facility for mental health patients and creating 150 jobs.

The Abertillery Hospital site in Aberbeeg will be turned into a 36-bed hospital to treat patients with mental disorders, learning disabilities and who are undergoing psychiatric rehabilitation.

The 6.8-acre site was bought by the Essex-based St Luke’s Hospital Group, which already runs a similar 36-bed hospital in Ebbw Vale that opened last year and a further eight across the UK.

The company it will use local construction companies to carry out building work and employ 150 staff, including nurses, doctors, cleaners and chefs.

The low-security wards will be locked and patients will only go out into the community under staff supervision.

Around 30 residents who live near the hospital went to a question and answer session organised by the group last week to raise concerns and find out more about the hospital.

Medical director Dr Chumba Igbokwe told the meeting none of the patients will be criminals in need of high security, including murderers and rapists, or drug addicts.

The majority of the patients will be from Gwent.

Building work is expected to begin at the end of the year and the hospital is due to open next summer.

Chief executive Jacqueline Tweedie said: “This will give more people the opportunity to be treated closer to their homes and their families because there have not previously been the beds in Wales and patients have had to seek treatment in England.”

The hospital building is Grade II listed and the group will be working closely with Cadw on plans for renovation, which is expected include an internal refurbishment of the current building.

Abertillery Hospital, which had more than 100 bedrooms, closed at the end of last year and the site has not been used since.

It was originally built in 1922 and was partly funded by contributions from local miners.

A liaison group will be formed with members of the local community, which will meet regularly to discuss any issues or concerns that are raised.