A WORCESTER mental health unit which was closed when bacteria was found in the water system has been reopened to patients.

The east wing of the Elgar Unit at Newtown Hospital is back to normal after being out of use since July last year.

Patients were moved to Bromsgrove Hospital when the Legionella bacteria, which was not harmful to humans, was found in the water supply during a routine maintenance check.

Experts were called in and it had taken longer than expected for the bacteria to be eliminated, according to members of the Worcestershire Community and Mental Health NHS Trust.

"All the services which were operating out of the Elgar Unit are now back to normal. We've conducted a major refurbishment," said Dr Ian McPherson, director of mental health.