ALMOST 150 years since Queen Victoria opened The Royal Surrey County Hospital in April 1866, Princess Alexandra has unveiled the first major mental health hospital to be erected in Surrey for more than 90 years – on the same site at Farnham Road in Guildford.

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s new development at Farnham Road Hospital cost £30m to build and was designed with an emphasis on providing respectful, therapeutic spaces for people with mental ill-health to aid their recovery.

Her Royal Highness’s visit to officially open the building began with a tour of the hospital led by the trust’s mental health and social care director, Andy Erskine and matron June Ryan.

The princess was introduced to patients as well as other people who use the services and carers. She also met staff who have been involved in the major project.

After viewing new state-of-the-art specialist therapy suites, the princess was the first to sign the hospital visitors’ book and unveil a commemorative plaque.

Around 60 people attended the event, including people who use services, staff, foundation trust governors; the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneaux and Guildford Mayor Nikki Nelson-Smith.

The hospital serves people living in Waverley, Guildford, Woking, and north east Hampshire.

Section 136 suites and psychiatric intensive care wards are for people county-wide.

Princess Alexandra visited Surrey mental health services in September 2004, opening the Victoria and Albert wards, for older people housed in the original hospital building which faces Farnham Road.

Surrey and Borders Partnership chief executive Fiona Edwards said: “As patron of the mental health charities, MIND, Mental Health Foundation, and our partners Richmond Fellowship, we are delighted to welcome Princess Alexandra back to Surrey to join us on this momentous occasion.

“Today marks a huge step forward for mental health services in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We provide most of our mental health services in the community, working with local partners – such as schools and GPs – to deliver early intervention and prevention to keep people well and at home.

“With this facility we are also able to provide crucial hospital-based intensive support for those who need it, in a modern and therapeutic environment which reflects 21st Century approaches to mental health assessment and treatment.”

Construction work began in autumn 2013 and the new wards started taking patients back in November.