A PSYCHIATRIC hospital in Widnes has been nomnated for a prestigious award.

Recovery F1rst, an innovative new joint venture between Priory Healthcare and Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, has been shortlisted in the public/private partnership of the year category at the Health Investor Awards.

The Priory Hospital was blasted by health care watchdog, The Care Quality Care Commission (CQC) in 2012 for failing to meet 10 government standards.

The £15 million 72-bed hospital in Bennetts Lane re-opened in September 2013, creating 200 jobs.

It provides care for people who have serious mental health problems, but also with other complexities such as autism, learning difficulties and personality disorder.

Recovery F1rst opened its first service for men with autistic spectrum conditions and mental health issues in September 2013, followed by a service for women with complex needs and personality difficulties in October 2013.

It means patients can be treated closer to their home and their families.

Two new services are planned to open in mid 2014.

Priory Group chief executive Tom Riall said: “Recovery F1rst aims to bring together the best of the NHS and independent sector to provide high quality services and value for money.

“The staffing structure and the use of a Priory site and support services means we are able to offer specialist services at a competitive rate and help reduce the cost of placements to the NHS. This is an increasingly important factor during the current climate and the need for savings and efficiencies.

“We are very proud to have been shortlisted for this prestigious award and to be leading the way in shaping the future of mental healthcare.”

The hospital has taken referrals and placements from the north west, West Midlands, Yorkshire, the Humber, and North Wales.

It was recently inspected by the CQC for the first time and the report was very complimentary about the staff and services provided.