Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, has officially opened the new Regional Child and Adolescent Mental Health Inpatient unit situated at Forster Green, Belfast.

Beechcroft will provide a total of 33 inpatient beds and a further five daycase beds for children and adolescents with mental health problems.

Minister McGimpsey said: "Beechcroft will provide a specialist inpatient service for children and young people with mental health problems.

"A considerable amount of work has gone into the planning, designing and building of this facility to ensure that it fully meets the needs of the children and young people who will be cared for here.

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"There are a wide variety of therapeutic interventions available in the unit delivered by highly skilled staff working together to ensure that our children and young people receive the highest quality assessment, treatment and care, in a modern and safe environment."

The Adolescent Unit provides a total of 18 inpatient beds including two new intensive nursing beds to replace the existing provision of 16 inpatient beds. They are single rooms all with ensuite shower W/C.

The Child and Family centre has 15 inpatient beds and five day hospital places, along with parents overnight stay accommodation and a family flat.

Beechcroft also has dayrooms, dining rooms, quiet areas, together with therapy and education facilities and support accommodation for the staff, catering and administration. A recreation hall and outdoor recreational area is also provided for the patients.

(CD/GK)