HUDDERSFIELD'S mental health unit could be redeveloped and expanded under plans to improve services in West Yorkshire.
St Luke's Hospital at Crosland Moor could face a major revamp if proposals to close units at Dewsbury and Halifax get the go-ahead.
The move, being considered by South West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust, which is- responsible for the site, comes as part of an overhaul of services.
It could see the closure of the Priestley Unit at Dewsbury District Hospital and The Dales at the Calderdale Royal Hospital, Halifax, and patients moved to St Luke's or treated at home.
Bronwyn Gill, the trust's public relations manager, said: "It is not about reducing beds but about looking at where best to put patients.
"It is a massive exercise and we are at the beginning of a very lengthy process.
"We are talking to people who use the service, their families and the staff to see how services are used at the moment, how they need to be used to match best practice and how we need to make changes to offer a better service."
She said information was still being gathered.
Public consultation would have to take place before any decision could be made, added Ms Gill.
She did not expect plans to move to the next stage before the summer.
But there was potential to develop the St Luke's site, she confirmed.
"There is perhaps potential to redevelop on that site and make it bigger," she said.
"But at the moment it is a massive information-gathering exercise," said Ms Gill.
