A new state-of-the-art mental health hospital has been officially opened.

Yesterday at a special ceremony at the new £19 million Gartnavel Royal Hospital in Glasgow, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon met with staff and patients before unveiling a commemorative plaque and officially declaring the hospital open.

Ms Sturgeon said: "I am delighted to officially open the new Gartnavel Royal Hospital, a brand new, state-of-the-art facility that will ensure people will have access to the highest quality mental health care, services and support for years to come. As the most innovative facility of its kind in the UK, this new facility will allow individuals to be cared for in a bright, modern setting which will help enormously to aid and sustain their recovery."

-- Advertisement --

The new Gartnavel Royal Hospital has six wards, three adult, two elderly and one intensive psychiatric care unit. Facilities include a family friendly room for service users with children as well as a community café and patient gym

Gartnavel Royal Hospital can trace its roots back to the former Glasgow "Lunatic Asylum" which opened in 1814 on a site now covered by Buchanan Bus Station.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's Chairman Andrew Robertson said: "The development of the new Gartnavel Royal Hospital is part of a much wider plan to improve and modernise mental health facilities and services across Greater Glasgow and Clyde. I am delighted to see that the hospital has improved the environment for both patients and staff. Much of the success of the new Gartnavel Royal Hospital is due to the dedication, expertise and commitment of its staff."

(GK/JM)