The Trust has appointed BAM Construction to build its Camden and Islington new mental health inpatient facility in Highgate
Construction of the new building, opposite the Trust’s existing Highgate Mental Health Centre, is due to begin later this year, following planning permission approval.
The new, purpose-built facility, with five wards, a gym, dedicated activity spaces and a community café, will replace the mental health inpatient wards at St Pancras Hospital which are ageing and no longer fit-for-purpose.
During the last 12 months, the Trust has worked closely with service users, carers, staff and architects to co-design the new facility. This has involved listening to their ideas, suggestions and experience of using existing inpatient services, with the feedback received helping to shape the design of the new building.
BAM is behind more than 100 health schemes in London alone. It was appointed following a competitive process under the Procure 22 framework.
The Trust’s St Pancras transformation programme director, Malcolm McFrederick, said: “Our aim is to develop a modern, therapeutic facility that supports wellbeing, recovery and enables staff to provide the best possible care.
“We are delighted that a contractor has now been appointed to turn year-long co-production discussions, into a reality.”
A modern approach to healthcare
Trust chief executive, Angela McNab, said: “This appointment marks another exciting milestone in our plans to deliver a brand new inpatient mental health facility for people in Camden and Islington.”
Trust project director, Akin Durowoju, who is leading the new build, said: “In appointing a contractor we considered not only their experience in mental health facility design and construction, but also how key responsibilities, such as those to the environment and local communities, are met. We are confident that BAM Construction will deliver on all of those things.”
Gavin Pantlin, construction director for BAM/Rod Stiles, regional director for BAM in London, said: “Our experience combined with a highly modern and sophisticated approach is what the healthcare sector demands because of the range of sensitive environments patients and medical professionals experience.
“Our main concern is working closely with the Trust, understanding their needs clearly and thoroughly, and seeking ways to use the opportunity that building these new facilities brings to benefit others.
“We are eager to develop the strong relationship we have started to forge with the Trust and its partners so that many good things can develop from it, for the Trust, for its patients, and for the people who live and work in the area.”
