A NEW mental health hospital offering treatment and support for women with complex mental health needs has officially opened in Hexham.

The Mayor of Hexham Robert Hull welcomed the launch of Cygnet Hospital Hexham, describing the investment by Cygnet Health Care as a confidence boost for Hexham and the North-East.

Due to open for admissions in October, the new 27-bed facility, on Anick Road, will provide service for women and will offer treatment and rehabilitation through a specialist intensive care unit and an acute service for women with a co-mordid diagnosis of learning difficulty.

The new service has created up to 80 new jobs. After touring the new hospital and meeting staff, Bob Hull, the Mayor of Hexham, said: “I’m delighted to see Cygnet opening such a facility during times when life is so difficult.

"It’s great to have this service located in Hexham and it shows confidence in the local area."

Hospital Manager David Williams said it was crucial that women struggling with mental health issues were able to access specialist services. “I am really excited that Cygnet has invested in a dedicated service for women,” he said, “these services exist to respond to the needs of women in a holistic, tailored way, and the ability to cater exclusively for that and to provide privacy, dignity and support is vital when someone has an acute mental health problem and at a time when they are most vulnerable.”

He added: “Our aim is to enable women in our care to live independent lives in the community and feel comfortable in self-managing their mental health. It is absolutely essential that the values we share as a company – centred around care, respect, trust, integrity, and empowering patients to have a voice in their care, are part of how we deliver care.”

Cygnet previously owned the Chesterholme hospital, on Anick Road, before it was closed after being rated inadequate and put into special measures by the Care Quality Commission.

The company was under investigation in January following a death at the Oaklands care home it runs on the same site.

The hospital is split into two distinct wards that have been named after ‘inspirational’ women who became advocates for women’s mental health. Fisher Ward is named after Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher and Franklin Ward after singer Aretha Franklin.

Fisher Ward will offer a care pathway of 28 days and aims to ensure a short length of stay and a safe return to the community.

The 10-bed specialist PICU service for women, provided by Franklin Ward, will accept emergency and crisis admission, with referrals coming from all areas, including acute and prison services.