The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has announced the opening of a $200m patient complex and administration building at Rusk State Hospital in Texas.

The funding for the construction was approved by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the state legislature.

Covering around 227,368ft², the three-storey patient complex includes an expanded 100-bed maximum security unit and a 100-bed non-maximum-security unit.

This will increase the number of maximum-security beds from 40 to 100, while the hospital's overall capacity will remain the same.

Governor Abbott said: “The mental health of Texans remains a priority in Texas, which is why I made it an emergency item during the 2019 legislative session.

“This updated facility, which has a long history of serving the Rusk community, will ensure the hospital can continue to serve Texans for many years to come.

“I thank the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for their work with local and community partners to oversee the construction of this new state-of-the-art facility.”

The new Rusk State Hospital incorporates various design features aimed to promote healing and recovery, such as single-person rooms, ample natural light for patient rooms and common areas, and outdoor spaces.

It also offers a range of recreational, therapeutic and social experiences to help patients prepare for life outside the hospital.

The patient complex also has a music room, theatre, beauty salon, library, canteen, gym, greenhouse and teaching kitchen.

In addition, the new two-storey administration building covers 18,900ft² and has been built to house the hospital's administration department and IT staff.

The administration building's construction was finished in 2021.

Since 2017, Texas leaders have allocated more than $3.2bn in funding to replace, renovate or expand state hospitals in various cities across the state.

Rusk State Hospital has been providing inpatient adult psychiatric services since 1919 to patients in 36 counties across East Texas.