LOCAL MP OPENS NEW MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY AT STEPPING HILL HOSPITAL

1.21.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 30th Jun 2009

Andrew Stunell MP opening the new Mental Health Facility at Stepping Hill Hospital

Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell officially opened Stockport's new £1.8 million mental health facility, Bevan Place, at Stepping Hill Hospital last Friday.

Bevan Place, the new step-down service at Stepping Hill, began serving the community in November 2008 to provide a specialist service for older adults with severe mental health problems. The new service provides 15 beds designed in three separate areas.

Mr Stunell, who has fought for greater funding for mental health services for many years, was on hand to conduct the official opening.

Commenting, Andrew Stunell said:

"I was delighted to be asked to officially open the new mental health facility at Stepping Hill.

"We need better care for those suffering from mental health problems, and I have long fought for more facilities in Stockport. Too often Mental Health is the forgotten service in the NHS, and it has been chronically under-funded for years.

"We need to do much better, and I'm pleased that Stepping Hill will now have much improved facilities for mental health patients."

ENDS