Sir Robert McAlpine has started building works on the £110 million redevelopment of Tolworth Hospital in Kingston, with works set to deliver state-of-the-art mental health facilities by the end of 2027.
The project, part of South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust’s (SWLSTG) wider £270 million Better Environments Programme, marks a significant step in modernising the region’s mental health estate.
The new hospital building is being delivered in partnership with STEP (Springfield & Tolworth Estate Partnership), a joint venture between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures and Kajima Partnerships, following years of consultation with service users, carers, staff, and local stakeholders.
Early works, which began in March 2024, have now been completed. These included the demolition of derelict buildings, installation of hoardings, infrastructure upgrades, utilities works, and the creation of new parking areas.
Once completed, the redevelopment will accommodate seven inpatient wards
A formal ground-breaking ceremony took place on 25 March 2025, bringing together Trust staff, patients, carers, local councillors, and community leaders to mark the milestone ahead of the main build phase commencing. T
The new facilities will be constructed over two and a half years.
Construction Highlights, so far include:
- Demolition of old, redundant structures at the heart of the site
- Infrastructure works to modernise utilities, access roads, and parking
- Landscaping and tree removal approved to prepare for new buildings
- Revised site layout, replacing a previously planned multi-storey car park with landscaped ground-level parking
- New energy strategy, removing the need for a separate energy centre
Once completed, the redevelopment will accommodate seven inpatient wards, with five new wards in the upgraded facilities — four relocating from older buildings at Springfield Hospital in Wandsworth and one already based at Tolworth.
The Trust first secured planning consent for the redevelopment from Kingston Council in 2018
The improved environment is designed to offer therapeutic, modern spaces tailored to support patient recovery and enhance working conditions for staff.
The Trust first secured planning consent for the redevelopment from Kingston Council in 2018, with revisions approved in 2023 following further community engagement.
The finalised plans reflect feedback from public consultations held in 2022, leading to enhancements in site layout, building design, and sustainable infrastructure provision.
The Tolworth redevelopment is a cornerstone of SWLSTG’s strategy to rebalance inpatient mental health provision across South West London, with similar numbers of wards operating at the Trust’s two main centres at Springfield and Tolworth from 2027.
This follows the successful £150 million redevelopment of Springfield Hospital, completed as part of the same capital programme.
Top image: Tolworth Hospital