A new healthcare centre opening at a private mental hospital in Northampton, will create up to 400 new jobs in the area, health bosses have announced.

Construction of the new William Wake House building is already underway and the centre is expected to be completed by December this year.

St Andrew's Healthcare the charity which runs St Andrew's Hospital located off Billing Road, have said that more than 150 new members of staff will be appointed by December 2010, with the remainder of positions to be filled by December 2011.

The state of the art mental health facility will have 132 beds across eight wards. The secure unit centre will also have therapy and leisure facilities available for use by patients. It will also feature a Georgian style facade to ensure it keeps with the aesthetic style of the other buildings on the St Andrew's site.

The charity has said that the new building will be home to a number of services, including those for people with learning disabilities, Asperger's syndrome, brain injuries and hearing problems.

A number of specialist roles will soon be advertised including psychiatrists, psychologists and qualified social workers, in addition to physiotherapy jobs and occupational therapy jobs. The centre will also be recruiting for ward staff and nurse manager jobs as well as general healthcare assistants, teachers, secretaries and kitchen and housekeeping staff.

Rachael Jackson, the hospital's director, told the Northampton Chronicle and Echo: "The charity works closely with the NHS and this latest impressive facility here at Northampton will provide some of St Andrew's most specialist services to date."