The 44-bed mental health hospital is on the redeveloped site of a former nursing home on Wester Hill Road, Fitton Hill.
The hospital has brought 135 new jobs to the Greater Manchester area with a range of career opportunities that includes health care professionals, clinicians, nurses, catering, domestics and administrative roles.
The hope is that women from the North West will be able to access care closer to home and nearer to their supportive family networks wherever this is possible.
Dr Tony Romero, CEO of Cygnet, said he was pleased to be extending care pathways for women in the North West.
He said: “Today marks a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to those who need it most. Cygnet Kenney House will provide a safe and supportive care pathway for women with mental health needs, and will allow people from the north-west to be treated closer to home.
“At Cygnet, we are driven by a singular purpose – to make a positive difference to the lives of the individuals we care for, their loved ones and all those who work with us. Cygnet Kenney House will bring multiple benefits, most notably to help more women with their mental health needs, providing care closer to home, alleviating pressure on the NHS by helping to reduce waiting times for those in need of support, and deliver economic growth for the local Oldham area.
“With the increase in need for specialist mental health services, we want to be part of the solution and work together with the NHS to provide the best treatment and facilities to help people on their recovery journey.”
Together with Cygnet representatives, the hospital was officially opened by Cllr Fida Hussain, Cabinet Member for Enterprise. Cygnet collaborated with Oldham Council’s free employment support service – Get Oldham Working – to offer employment opportunities to Oldhamers.
Cygnet has prioritised recruiting from the Oldham area and with support from Get Oldham Working has helped people get jobs as ward clerks, receptionists, health care assistants, activity co-ordinators, chefs, maintenance, kitchen staff and housekeepers.
Nearly two-thirds of staff who have been recruited come directly from the Oldham area.
Cllr Hussain said: “It was a pleasure to officially open Cygnet Kenney House and celebrate the opportunities it brings to our community. Not only has this new hospital created a significant amount of employment opportunities, including jobs for local unemployed people through Get Oldham Working, but it also represents a significant investment in the health of women across Oldham and the Greater Manchester area.
“Access to local, high-quality mental health support is crucial, and Cygnet Kenney House will play a vital role in providing compassionate care and support for women who need it most. This is a positive step forward for our community, and I’m proud to see Oldham leading the way in mental health care and employment opportunities.
“Having seen first-hand this new service and spoken with the new team, I am confident the dedication and expertise of the staff here will make a real difference in women’s lives, helping them on their recovery journey. I am proud to welcome Cygnet Kenney House to Oldham and look forward to seeing the positive contributions it will continue to make in the years to come.”
Cygnet’s in house interior design team worked with existing service users, Experts by Experiences (EbyEs) and carers, who consulted on artwork, furniture, flooring, wallpaper and soft furnishings to ensure the environment at Cygnet Kenney House is optimum for recovery.
Former Cygnet Hospital Sheffield patient, Mia McGowan, is one of the EbyEs who worked closely with the team at Cygnet Kenney House. She also helped to officially open its doors.
She said: “I was once a patient in a hospital similar to this, and it was a place that changed my life. This new hospital will give many others the same opportunity. It’s more than just a building; it’s a safe space, a place where people can heal, learn, and grow.
“It’s not just the patients who will benefit. This hospital will be a support system for families too. We know how important it is for loved ones to be part of the recovery process, and this hospital will ensure they are involved, informed, and empowered every step of the way.
“Let’s not forget the impact this will have on our local community. This is a place where stigma is replaced with understanding, where people can come together to talk openly about mental health, and where we can foster a culture of compassion and support.
“As this hospital opens its doors, it opens up a future of hope, healing, and positive change—for the patients, their families, and our community as a whole.”
Hospital Manager Amardip Prihar said she was proud to see the new hospital open.
She added: “Every person deserves access to a supportive and therapeutic environment, receiving safe, person-centred care in a place where they can rebuild their lives with dignity and confidence.
“Cygnet Kenney House has been designed with this mission at its core. This will not just be a building where care is delivered—it will be a place of hope, recovery, and transformation. A place where women who have been struggling with their mental health can look forward to their future with optimism.
“The people we care for will be someone’s wife, mother, daughter, sister or friend. They may have experienced difficulties leading to a deterioration in their mental health, such as a marriage breakdown or bereavement, but with the right care and support they will want to return to their own lives as soon as possible.
“We have recruited an incredible staff team and our female patients will be fortunate to receive care from such a dedicated team of professionals.”
Care will be delivered across three wards; Billington Ward, a 12-bed specialist Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Baldock Ward, a 16-bed Acute service and Harben Ward, a 16-bed mental health rehabilitation and recovery service.
