South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust (SWLSTG) has secured government approval to start work on two new state-of-the-art psychiatric facilities.
This multi-million-pound development will see the construction of two new mental health facilities, which are set to open in 2022 on the trust’s largest site in Tooting, south London.
This includes eight new inpatient wards which will be further boosted by the modernisation of community services.
The trust has already started construction work on the programme, which will also include new housing and a 32-acre public park; the first of its kind since the 2012 London Olympics.
The organisation has now formally signed contracts for the delivery of the development with Springfield and Tolworth Estate Partnership (STEP), a 50/50 partnership between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures and Kajima Partnerships.
STEP will act as master developer for the site, with Sir Robert McAlpine as main contractor for the new mental health units and the park, surrounding public realm, and infrastructure.
The new facilities have been carefully designed alongside our clinicians and service users to provide the most-supportive environment and innovative facilities for the delivery of mental healthcare
This huge milestone in the trust’s Estate Modernisation Programme marks a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the way it delivers mental health services for 1.1million Londoners.
The plans, developed by C.F. Møller Architects, and now formally approved, will bring forward a range of benefits to the people who use the trust’s services, their carers and the local community, including:
- World-class mental health facilities: delivering the best care for patients
- 839 new homes: providing housing for local families in Tooting
- A 32-acre public park providing outdoor space, including a gym and play areas for the local community
- Community shops and a café
- Extensive community healthcare facilities, treating people closer to their families and their homes
- A district heating system and centralised energy centre, providing efficient heating and reducing carbon emissions
- Land for a new school
- More than £5m for new transport facilities
The trust received government approval for its Full Business Case for the development following extensive engagement with the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS Improvement, NHS England, and Her Majesty’s Treasury.
Ann Beasley CBE, trust chairman, said: “This is the biggest landmark yet in our Estate Modernisation Programme and we are extremely proud of getting permission to go ahead and being able to start work on these brand-new, first-class inpatient facilities.
“This new environment will make a huge difference to our patients and the way we provide the best-quality care towards their recovery.
“It is incredibly important to us that we provide patients with the best environment and services possible and we are pleased to have done this primarily through raising our own funds.
It’s a pioneering project for the NHS providing, not only much-needed, high-quality mental health facilities; but also housing and new green spaces for south west London
“Furthermore, this work will ensure that the Springfield University Hospital site is regenerated in a way which reduces the stigma of mental health conditions by integrating our organisation with our community.”
Vanessa Ford, acting chief executive, added: “We have been developing the plans for our new mental health inpatient wards for many years and we are delighted to have received government approval, meaning we can begin construction on these state-of-the-art inpatient buildings.
“The wards will revolutionise the way we deliver care for generations to come and ensure we can provide high-quality and safe services.
“The new facilities have been carefully designed alongside our clinicians and service users to provide the most-supportive environment and innovative facilities for the delivery of mental healthcare.
“As well good news for patients; the new hospital facilities will be good news for the environment with much-more-efficient use of energy and working towards a carbon neutral footprint.”
The whole area will benefit from the redevelopment of the site, which will bring together new and existing people who live and work at Springfield to create a community with mental health and wellbeing at its heart
And Harriet Gladwell-Phillips, STEP general manager, said of the news: “It’s a pioneering project for the NHS providing, not only much-needed, high-quality mental health facilities; but also housing and new green spaces for south west London.
“The whole area will benefit from the redevelopment of the site, which will bring together new and existing people who live and work at Springfield to create a community with mental health and wellbeing at its heart.”
- Companies:
- Sir Robert McAlpine
- C F Moller Architects
- South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust
- Kajima Partnerships
