EALING’S new mental health unit took a step closer to completion with an event to celebrate the laying of the foundations.

Representatives from the West London Mental Health NHS Trust came together at the St Bernard’s site in Southall to lay the final foundation stone on their new male medium secure unit.

It marks the end of the ground works for the new 80-bed unit and starts an 18-month countdown to the completion of the new hospital.

The unit, part of a two-year redevelopment programme at St Bernard’s Hospital, will include a primary healthcare suite and large communal gardens. It will play an important role in supporting recovery and rehabilitation.

Nigel McCorkell, chairman of West London Mental Health NHS Trust said: “The progress this project has made in such a short time is outstanding.”

Work on the unit is expected to be completed by November 2015 and it will be occupied from early 2016.