A STATE-of-the-art patients' unit at St Ann’s Hospital in Poole was officially opened yesterday marking the first phase of a £35million redevelopment.

To date, £14million has been invested in the scheme, which involved the demolition of an outdated building and the creation of a purpose-built patients’ facility.

Poole mayor, Cllr Philip Eades, opened the new unit which includes a one 16-bed and one 14-bed ward, along with assessment, treatment and support rooms.

There are also dedicated spaces on the wards for therapeutic activities and enhanced outside areas for patients’ use.

James Barton, director of mental health services at Dorset HealthCare, said: “Although we provide the majority of our care in the community, we wanted to deliver the highest quality mental health care for those that do need our inpatient services from time to time.

“The redevelopment has enabled us to create a new and improved environment for those in crisis who can now begin their recovery in a setting which is both therapeutic and uplifting.”

Becky Aldridge, chief executive of Dorset Mental Health Forum, who was invited to tour the new facilities, added: “On behalf of people who access services, we welcome the new facilities at St Ann's which enable people to be treated with dignity and compassion at a time when they are acutely unwell.

“It’s great to see real investment in mental health services and we believe that the improved environment will be of huge benefit to both patients and staff?”

Developers stressed the Grade II* Listed Building at the heart of the Canford Cliffs site has been protected and enhanced throughout the redevelopment and will continue to be used by the NHS Trust.

Phase two of the £35million redevelopment project is set to include the refurbishment of a 1980s hospital building and further landscaping works.