The 10-bed unit in Dartford is the trust's first serious intensive care unit for women.

Chief medical officer, Afifa Qazi, who has spent 20 years as a psychiatry consultant in the NHS, said: ‘This is an important step forward for mental health services in Kent and Medway. Until now, women needing intensive care and support for serious mental health difficulties have not been able to receive this specialist care for our team.

‘We are hugely excited. This is a big step for us as an organisation.'

Kent and Medway spent £3.39m on outsourcing psychiatric services for women last year to the private sector.

Two of the 10 beds will be available to women referred by neighbouring trusts.

The design of the site, which was delivered by AHR Architecture, was informed through consultation with people with experience of mental health service, and takes account of sensory needs, including those of women with autism and learning disabilities.

The unit is expected to provide around 2,500 bed days of care each year.  

The trust already provides intensive mental health care for men at a 12-bed unit at Littlebrook Hospital in Dartford.