A TURF CUTTING ceremony has marked the launch of a new £7 million mental health unit.

It will increase the size of Halton Hospital by a third and is the biggest building project since Phase 2 opened in 1986.

Halton Hospital now provides 206 beds and has 900 staff.

The new wing will create 113 additional jobs and is due to be completed my March 1998 and up and running by mid-May 1998.

It will have 73 single rooms, all with en suite facilities.

Health chiefs believe this bright, modern building, designed round courtyards will be more popular than the traditional Victorian institutions.

They are also hoping to build a new 10-bed day assessment and treatment centre in Widnes. This development is waiting for cash approval.

"We are not bringing Winwick over here," said directorate manager and senior nurse Paul Sturgeon. "We are not building an asylum or mental hospital.

"We believe people will want to use this facility. It is for people who live in Runcorn, Widnes, Frodsham and Helsby. It will be much more accessible for them and easier for visitors."

He stressed that all care will be centred on each individual patient and tailor made to suit their own personal needs.

"We have modelled the service on greater integration with the community health care team," said Paul Sturgeon. "Community staff will get to know patients before they are discharged."

Halton Hospital is now managing the two Halton wards at Winwick. Staff contracts have been transferred.

The new mental health unit at Halton will include:

24 acute beds

20 rehabilitation beds

14 acute beds for over 65s

15 dementia assessment beds

There will be separate male and female sleeping areas. Patients will share the lounge, day room and dining facilities.

The Pine Day Unit, out-patient clinic and community team base will be situated on the first floor.

All bedrooms and the Norton Day Unit will be on the ground floor.

A competition is being organised by patients of the Pine Day Unit to choose a name for the new unit.

Individuals and organisations are invited to suggest one.

A £100 shopping voucher prize will be presented to the winner.

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