EALING Southall MP Virendra Sharma visited St Bernard’s Hospital last week for a tour of the Wolsey Wing, one of its newly-refurbished buildings.

Since Spring 2013, the wing has housed many of the local mental health services provided for Ealing residents, and the MP was keen to see how services have improved and discuss plans for the future.

Horizon Ward was his first stop, where he met users and staff and was impressed by the Tree of Hope, a functional image which allows people to attach inspirational quotes and messages to motivate others on the ward.

It was then over to Hope Ward, where Virendra spoke to some of the women about their experiences of the mental health system, before going to Discovery Ward to view the artwork displays and complete his tour.

He said: “Visiting Wolsey Wing and speaking to Ealing residents, it’s clear the trust is doing everything it can to improve mental health care.”

Sandra Bailey, senior nurse manager, said: “Virendra has shown a keen interest in our work, and this visit reflects the importance he places on mental health services in his constituency.

“He has already requested a follow-up visit and expressed an interest in getting more involved with some of the activities we have coming up over the next 12 months.”

The St Bernard’s site is currently being transformed to provide a more modern and suitable environment for everyone receiving care there.

This includes the construction of a new medium secure unit, which will be completed in early 2016 bringing all the trust’s medium secure services together into one campus.