A LIBRARY service based at Cherry Knowle Hospital, in Ryhope, Sunderland, has been opened.

It will be used by all staff providing mental health services for patients across Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead.

The new service combines access to electronic and printed material and will also be available for students.

The library, at the Postgraduate Centre, at Cherry Knowle Hospital, has been redeveloped along with a new interdisciplinary library in the Poplars complex.

Information will be available electronically 24 hours a day, giving access to journals, books, websites and other services and resources, much of which can also be accessed remotely.

South of Tyne and Wearside Mental Health NHS Trust chairwoman Cynthia Rickitt said: "The development of this modern library and knowledge service will underpin the continuing professional development of trust staff.

"It is essential that our staff can easily access information that is relevant and up-to-date to enable them to continue to provide high-quality services for local people."

The library service will eventually be provided on one site when the new hospital development at Cherry Knowle is ready, probably by the end of 2008.