Construction on the £110m redevelopment of Tolworth Hospital in Kingston is due to begin this summer.
South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust told Building Better Healthcare that: “We are only halfway there on this journey and, pending final funding and approvals, we hope to begin rebuilding Tolworth Hospital in the summer.”
Breaking mental health stigma with the Better Environments Programme
The Better Environments Programme is a healthcare and urban development project by South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust.
The Trust is investing over £250m to develop modern mental health facilities across Wandsworth, Richmond and Kingston.
According to the Trust, large parts of its mental health estates are old and isolated from the communities it serves.
The redevelopment of Tolworth Hospital is one of the major hospital builds in this project
“Reflecting outdated stigma-laden attitudes to mental ill health,” according to South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust.
With the Better Environments Programme, this leading mental health Trust is working to create inclusive services to reduce stigma around mental health.
The redevelopment of Tolworth Hospital is one of the major hospital rebuilds in this project.
The redevelopment of Tolworth Hospital
Tolworth Hospital has been providing mental health services for decades.
Many buildings in the Tolworth Hospital estate have been out of use for years and are unsuitable for modern mental healthcare. So in 2018, Kingston Council approved the redevelopment proposal of Tolworth Hospital.
The redevelopment of Tolworth Hospital includes removing old and unused buildings at the centre of the site to be replaced with state-of-the-art facilities.
The state-of-the-art facilities are designed to provide modern spaces for recovery and care.
STEP (Springfield & Tolworth Estate Partnership), an equal partnership between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures and Kajima Partnerships, is the chosen master developer for the new Tolworth Hospital
The new facilities will include accommodation for five existing wards, one of which is already based at Tolworth. The remaining four will relocate from older facilities at Springfield Hospital.
Ian Garlington, the Director leading the transformation programme for South West London and St. George’s Mental Health NHS Trust said: “Our vision is for Tolworth to stand as a second centre for excellence alongside Springfield Hospital, ensuring first-class facilities for generations of people who rely on our inpatient services at their point of need.”
Part of the Better Environments Programme is the development of “bold” new social landscapes that will “open up” the sites to local communities to further break the stigma around mental health.
Tolworth Hospital CGI
Garlington, said: “The new health facilities are only part of the equation. The spaces between our buildings are where we are active in supporting anti-stigma around mental ill health, by promoting wellness and understanding.
"At Tolworth this will take the shape of a central plaza and community café,” Garlington concluded.
STEP (Springfield & Tolworth Estate Partnership), an equal partnership between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures and Kajima Partnerships, is the chosen master developer for the new Tolworth Hospital.
A spokesperson for STEP, said: “We are excited to be continuing our relationship with South West London & St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust as our main contractor Sir Robert McAlpine prepares to begin early works at Tolworth Hospital.
“Plans for the new facilities will see modern, sustainable hospital accommodation built at Tolworth providing high-quality environments for mental healthcare for the people of South West London.”
The new Tolworth Hospital is expected to be completed in late 2026.
By 2027, the Trust plans to operate seven wards at Tolworth Hospital.
