The hospital, designed by the Public Works Department to have an "open and pleasant" atmosphere, included teaching and residential facilities for psychiatric nursing students.

The Phase I project was funded by a donation of $500 million from the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

The modernised and improved facilities and environment facilitate treatment and rehabilitation of patients, and their re-integration into the community.

CPH is a recognised training centre for trainees in medical, nursing, occupational therapy and other relevant professional fields.

Its training program for psychiatric trainees is recognised by the respective Colleges of Psychiatrists in Hong Kong, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

In Hong Kong Cantonese, due to its historic nature, the name of the hospital (青山; cing1 saan1) is used both to refer to mental illness and as a slang for "psycho".