A �7 million mental health clinic which will treat around 500 patients a year was officially opened in Greenock yesterday.

Andrew Robertson, chairman of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board, unveiled a plaque at the launch of the new intensive psychiatric care unit at Inverclyde Royal Hospital.

The Langhill Clinic - named because of its view of Langhill - will enable 70 nursing, medical and occupational therapy staff to deliver care in modern, purpose-built accommodation.

Mr Robertson said: "The opening of the new unit and introduction of new services to this area will make a real difference to the people of Inverclyde, who will now have access to the best services in their community in a beautifully refurbished fit-for-purpose facility." The new unit has 20 acute mental health admission beds and an eight-bed intensive care unit and each patient will have their own bedroom with en-suite shower.

The clinic boasts purpose-built activity areas and landscaped gardens accessible from the wards, while there are day patient facility and treatment rooms on the ground floor alongside an out-of-hours assessment suite.

Health board bosses say the opening of the unit is another step forward in completing their mental health strategy, as it will allow services to move off the Ravenscraig Hospital site.

As part of the strategy, the health board has already opened new accommodation for community health, learning disability and addiction services at three separate sites in Greenock town centre.

Susanna McCorry-Rice, the health board's head of mental health and partnerships, believes the new facility will benefit patients.

She said: "The quality of the environment is very important to treatment and recovery.

"Patients and their carers have been involved in the design process of the new facility and it reflects what people feel contributes positively to their hospital stay." Invited guests were given a tour of the new facility at yesterday's opening ceremony - and declared themselves impressed.

Nell McFadden, a member of the local community care forum, said: "It is one of the best things that has ever happened in Inverclyde because there are so many people with mental health problems and elderly people with dementia.

"It is a badly needed and marvellous facility. There has been a lot of hard work put in."