A STATE of the art mother and baby unit, which helps new mums suffering from mental illness, has received its official opening.

The new facility provides support for new mothers suffering from severe mental illness following the birth of their baby.

Called the West of Scotland Mother & Baby Unit, it was originally based in the Victorian building of the Southern General campus but was relocated to Leverndale Hospital last year as part of the hospital's £10.7 million modernisation programme.

The unit received its official opening last week by Andrew Robertson, Chair of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) and Calum McLeod, former Head of Mental Health, who is now retired but was instrumental in taking the project forward.

It provides six single rooms with therapeutic space, as well as outside green spaces.

It enables mothers to be supported in caring for their baby while having care and treatment for a range of mental illnesses, uch as postnatal depression, postpartum psychosis, severe anxiety or eating disorders.

The aim of the project seeks to aid the mother's recovery while strengthening the mother-infant relationship, as well as reducing the stigma around mental illness.

Andrew Robertson said: "I am honoured to officially open this impressive new facility which brings state-of-the-art healthcare to new mothers who need additional mental health support and care after the birth of their newborn.

"This development is another significant step forward in the modernisation of mental health provision in Glasgow and Clyde."

Dr Roch Cantwell, Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist, added: "We are delighted to be able to offer care and treatment, in such high quality facilities, to women from across the west of Scotland who require admission along with their babies."