A NEW £50m mental hospital has been officially opened by the Countess of Wessex.

Hopewood Park was built in Ryhope, near Sunderland, on the site of the former Ryhope General Hospital and the Cherry Knowle mental hospital.

The hospital, which opened in August, has122 beds and includes a psychiatric intensive care unit, a physical treatment suite, a pharmacy, exercise therapy areas and office accommodation for the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team and the Initial Response Team of the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (NTW).

It is part of a £60m scheme that included the dementia care centre that was opened at Monkwearmouth Hospital, Sunderland, last year.

During her visit to the hospital today (Friday, November 7) The Countess met trust Chairman Hugh Morgan Williams, medical staff and construction workers.

Mr Morgan Williams said: “We were delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness to Hopewood Park to see our new development, meet our dedicated staff and learn about the specialist services we provide.

“Hopewood Park is an exciting chapter in our trust’s history and I am pleased so many of those who have been involved in its design have been able to share this special day with us.”

The Countess also met carer governor Norman Hildrew, who was involved in the hospital’s development.

Suzanne Miller, Hopewood Park’s Service Manager, escorted The Countess around Shoredrift, one of the new wards, and introduced her to patients and staff.

She also met representatives of builders Laing O’Rourke, architects Medical Architecture and other stakeholders and partners.