WEDNESDAY, 10 AUGUST, 2016

PHOTOS ATTACHED:

1. L-R NHS TAYSIDE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER LORNA WIGGIN, NHS GRAMPIAN SERVICE MANAGER KEVIN DAWSON, CAMHS REGIONAL NETWORK MANAGER RUTH MASSON, INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALLER GEMMA FAY AND NHS TAYSIDE CHAIRMAN PROFESSOR JOHN CONNELL

2. INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALLER GEMMA FAY UNVEILING THE PLAQUE

3. THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S UNIT

International footballer Gemma Fay officially opens Young People’s Unit

Scottish female international footballer Gemma Fay visited Dundee this week to officially open a new purpose-built facility for young people with mental health problems.

Gemma Fay, who also plays in the Scottish Women’s Premier League for Glasgow City FC, was welcomed to the unit by NHS Tayside Chairman Professor John Connell, Chief Operating Officer Lorna Wiggin and CAMHS regional network manager Ruth Masson.

Gemma unveiled a commemorative plaque before meeting with staff and patients during a tour of the

£8 million Young People’s Unit (YPU), which is based on the site of the previous YPU at Dudhope Terrace.

The unit includes a 12-bed inpatient unit with an education facility and family accommodation for patients from across the north of Scotland. All bedrooms are en-suite and there is private outdoor space and a gym available for patients.

Gemma, who captains the Scotland women’s football team, said, “I was honoured to be asked to open the Young People’s Unit. An integrated centre for young people in Tayside that provides support during their care and also provides support networks is a hugely positive step for mental well being in the region.

“The opportunity to address identified issues through tailored individual support in the unit will provide young people with the safe environment they need to work through any problems they may have.”

Professor John Connell added, “I am delighted that this much needed unit is now available for young people with mental health problems from across the North of Scotland. The facility provides a wonderful holistic environment that can only help in the process of recovery.

“Gemma is a really good role model and I am very grateful that she has been able to be here for the formal opening.”

The new YPU is part of the North of Scotland Regional Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (NoS CAMHS) project, which is a partnership between Tayside, Grampian, Highland, Orkney and Shetland NHS Boards and has seen the establishment of a specialist network for young people with severe and complex mental health problems.

Members of the project team worked closely with the design team to establish the requirements for the new build YPU. Young people from the previous unit also worked hard to give their views on the design of the new build and continued to be involved throughout its development.

Contact:

Louise Wilson

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740718