This is believed to be the first successful handover of an expiring Healthcare PFI project in England.

Opened in 1999 on the site of the former Offerton Mental Hospital, The Meadows was a pioneering project led by Walker Healthcare in partnership with Stockport NHS Foundation Trust and Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust.

It has provided a vital mix of healthcare services for the local community, including the provision of specialist mental health, dementia and cognitive impairment services for older people.

Karen James OBE, chief executive of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'The success of The Meadows demonstrates how private and public sectors can work together effectively to provide essential health services to local communities.

'Over the past 25 years, we have seen the benefits of this partnership in the delivery of compassionate, high-quality care for some of our most vulnerable patients. It is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when we collaborate closely with experienced partners like Walker Healthcare.'

The facility at The Meadows is purpose-built and spans approximately 4,500 square meters, providing specialist assessments, treatment, support and care services for older adults and their families.

Services range from acute mental health wards to help older people who can no longer be supported or cared for in the community to the memory assessment team which assesses and diagnoses people living with memory conditions, and community mental health liaison service for people over 65 experiencing mental health problems. There is also palliative care in dementia service and step-down care for patients from acute hospital settings.

Walker Healthcare, a division of the independent Scottish-based company James Walker Leith Ltd, carried out the redevelopment of The Meadows and manages a portfolio of care homes and hospitals across the UK. The company has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality care in partnership with the NHS and other specialist providers.

Jim McCallum, director of Walker Healthcare, said: 'This handover marks a significant moment, not just for Walker Healthcare, but as a case study for future public and private sector partnerships. It demonstrates how a private provider can support the NHS in delivering essential care and services through a collaborative, long-term approach.'

The success of the wide range of hospital and community services for older people has been attributed to the close working relationships established between Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Walker Healthcare, and local care providers.