Irvine's Woodland View mental health facility was officially opened this week.

Glebe Primary pupils, who have artwork on display in the facility, joined Minister for Mental Health Maureen Watt to officially open Woodland View on Tuesday, September 5.

Ms Watt was welcomed to the stunning £46million facility in the grounds of Ayrshire Central Hospital in Irvine, which first opened its doors to patients in May 2016.

She officially unveiled the new signage which now welcomes people coming through the main doors.

Ms Watt also met some patients and staff in one of the rehabilitation areas.

Dr Martin Cheyne, Chairman of Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board, welcomed everyone to the unveiling ceremony.

He said: “We are delighted that Ms Watt could join us today to officially open Woodland View.

“I am truly in awe of what everyone has achieved in Woodland View. From the very outset people came together willingly and with enthusiasm to make this building the very best it could be.

“It was only with their dedication throughout the design and construction periods that we have this magnificent building which I am so pleased to say has become a successful part of the community and provides a caring and safe environment for our patients, visitors, volunteers and staff.

“We are all rightly proud of this new building. But we are also very proud of the services we provide within it.

Staff and volunteers provide the very best care for all our patients and are making a very real difference to the lives of our patients.

And I would like to thank each and every one of them for their commitment and devotion.

Without them we would simply have a building. They are the heart of our service and we appreciate everything they do.”

Maureen Watt MSP, Minister for Mental Health, said: “I last visited Woodland View in November 2016 and I am delighted to be back, this time to mark the official opening. I look forward to hearing about all of the excellent work that has been going on since my last visit.

“Prevention and early intervention and the wellbeing of children and young people is a key theme of our new Mental Health Strategy, so I’m very much looking forward to seeing the proposals for the new National Forensic Adolescent Services Centre. This innovative and forward looking development - providing specialist care for young people and children with complex needs - will be the first of its kind in Scotland. “I look forward to seeing the Business Case on of this from NHS Ayrshire and Arran.”