Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust has appointed contractor, GRAHAM, to build a new mental health facility on land owned by the trust in Mossley Hill, Liverpool.
Following a competitive tendering process, overseen by Liverpool & Sefton Health Partnership, GRAHAM was chosen as the preferred construction partner due to its extensive experience in delivering numerous healthcare projects across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
Designed by architectural practice, Gilling Dod, the inpatient facility will phase out traditional shared dormitory-style mental health wards to provide 80 single bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms.
Throughout the hospital, there will be an emphasis on providing therapeutic spaces with light and airy environments, as well as facilities for family visits and multi-faith worship.
And, outside, there will be access for patients to spend time in garden areas.
Peter Reavey, GRAHAM regional director, said: “It is a privilege to be named construction partner of this new, state-of-the-art facility for Liverpool, which has been beautifully designed to provide a modern and therapeutic environment that centres patient recuperation and recovery.”
Plans for the development were approved in 2022 and the former hospital buildings, which were deemed unfit for purpose, were demolished in February.
Demolition experts recycled around 95% of the salvage and buildings were crushed for re-use on site as future building fill materials for the new facility.
And a sod-cutting ceremony recently took place marking the start of construction on the project.
Supporting recovery
The trust’s chief executive, Professor Joe Rafferty CBE, said: “Work is well underway at Mossley Hill so that we can give the people of Liverpool what they need – the very-best care in a modern, therapeutic environment with single ensuite facilities and easy access to gardens and open space.
“Our current inpatient estate had been identified as a limiting factor in service users’ recovery. More than that, by delivering better buildings we’re also setting newer and higher standards in mental healthcare for everyone.”
Dave Sweeney, chairman of Liverpool & Sefton Health Partnership (LSHP), added: “I’m delighted to see the work progressing for this important new mental health facility.
“This is the third project of its kind that Mersey Care has commissioned LSHP to provide project management services for, with Clock View Hospital and Hartley Hospital in Southport completed in 2015 and 2020 respectively.
“Working in partnership with GRAHAM, the dedicated LSHP team will build on their experience gained on previous projects, their trusted relationships with Mersey Care, and an intimate knowledge of the existing local NHS estate, to ensure that a first-class facility is delivered for services users and staff alike.”