A NEW mental health unit has been opened at a local hospital.

Weston-super-Mare Mayor Cllr Sonia Russe cut the ribbon at the new facility at Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke.

The Haywood Ward will offer acute services for men in a safe and stabilising environment for those who are experiencing an acute episode of mental illness and require an emergency admission.

The hospital, on Beach Road, is run by Cygnet Health Care, which provides services to people with mental health needs, learning disabilities and autism.

Joshua Tapp, manager at Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke, said the ethos of the service is about assessing and treating service users in the least restrictive environment and planning for discharge in a robust and timely fashion.

He added: “With a focus on stabilisation, the Haywood Ward team will support service users to manage their mental health, reinforce daily living skills and prepare for independent life back in the community.

“The team will work closely and collaboratively with service users, their families and referrers to provide a seamless pathway from referral to discharge.

"The approach is recovery focused and supported by a comprehensive multi-disciplinary team, contributing to shorter lengths of stay.

“The management and staff here at Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke would like to thank the Mayor of Weston-super-Mare for officially opening our new male acute ward.

“Haywood Ward will provide much needed care for the rising number of men in need of mental health support.

"At Cygnet we are committed to working in partnership with the NHS to help meet those needs.”