Construction work has finished on the site of a new £10m women’s low secure unit at Clifton House in North Yorkshire.
Part of the £4billion, six-year ProCure21+ nationwide framework to deliver improved value for money in healthcare capital projects, the building was commissioned by Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and will ensure more women can receive specialist care closer to home.
Built by Balfour Beatty, the 22-bed facility is located in close proximity to a flood storage area and required the construction of a special water-resistant wall to protect it should flooding occur. The 600mm-high wall acts as a flood barrier, with all building services being kept above potential water levels.
Sustainability was key to the successful delivery of the project, which is the first unit of its kind to be built to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard. The environmental building rating was achieved, in part, through the reduction of surface water footprint to 30% less than on similar buildings, providing a safe flood-proofed area from which vulnerable service users can be evacuated.
The Considerate Constructors Scheme, which measures the impact of building projects on the local community, scored the project as 'Excellent' to 'Exceptional', in part for the project team’s support of the local supply chain.
As well as providing a service for female patients, existing male users of the services at Clifton House will also benefit from a new activity centre with a gymnasium and a training centre with supervised IT access and a visitors' area.
Peter Commins, Balfour Beatty managing director for the North West and North Wales, said: “We are thrilled to have delivered the first facility of this kind in North Yorkshire. It will provide an invaluable service for the community and enable patients with mental health issues to remain close to friends and family members.”
