A ROYAL visitor has opened a new state-of-the-art facility in Bromsgrove.

HRH the Duchess of Gloucester officially opened New Haven, Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust's mental health unit, on Thursday, (September 11).

Staff, volunteers, patients and their families, and local dignitaries, welcomed the Duchess who toured the new unit based near the Princess of Wales Hospital.

New Haven has 30 beds that benefit those with varying degrees of dementia including Alzheimer’s, acute depression, acute anxiety and psychosis.

It is equipped to meet the complex mental health needs of the patients by providing physical, psychological and emotional care.

Rooms at the facility are designed to inspire recovery and provide a stimulating environment. En-suite bedrooms create a home from home environment, helping ensure patients retain independence and privacy.

The Duchess was also shown the patient arts group’s work, which is designed to stimulate memory and use the large open courtyards that give patients the opportunity to get outdoors.

During the visit the Duchess also met volunteers, New Haven manager, Tony Baker, as well as pupils from Birchensale Middle School, in Redditch, who support horticultural and gardening projects.

The highlight of the visit was the Duchess unveiling a plaque commemorating her visit, to officially open the unit.

Sarah Dugan, chief executive of Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, said: "We are extremely proud of the service and are really pleased that patients and their families can be supported in such an excellent environment that was designed specifically to meet their needs."