3 Jun 2009
New mental health facility praised by patients
As one of the busiest mental health hospitals in the North East, Middleton St George Hospital in Darlington is celebrating the success of a new medium secure unit for women.
The project which became fully operational in March 2007 has seen a number of women come through its doors since the opening with its occupancy rate regularly at capacity.
The new addition to the existing complex is a modern structure which was designed to fit in with the style and design of the existing buildings on the complex. The 28 bed unit is the first building seen by visitors entering the hospital grounds so had to create a positive impression and a welcoming feel, something which has been achieved through the use of full height spine corridors animated by sky windows making the best possible use of natural light resulting in a bright and airy feel.
The layout of the building allows for maximum flexibility with the two main wings each housing 14 beds with the central core dedicated to the reception, administrative space and communal facilities. Open lounges, leisure facilities and dining rooms are directly accessible from corridors.
Gelder and Kitchen was chosen following a competitive pitch and acted as architects, structural and civil engineers, and project managers on the build with their determination to create a facility fit for purpose evident in all aspects of the building.
Planning permission was originally granted in 2001. After extensive consultation Gelder and Kitchen was able to formalise the client’s vision. Their development plan showed their overall strategy for future development, including the demolition of existing out of date buildings such as the former Air Force quarters which had been converted for residential care use. Building work started on the site in February 2006 with the unit becoming fully operational in Spring 2007.
Alessandro Caruso, Partner, Gelder and Kitchen said: “We were determined to design a secure facility without it looking like an institution. We purposely directed the secure elements away from the main entrance and included 5.2m high secure fencing without dramatically affecting the views.
“We were also careful to ensure that the new building wouldn’t look out of place. Modern elements were incorporated into the traditional red brickwork used in other parts of the building to give the complex a look of uniformity. The layout was created with patients, staff and visitors in mind ensuring each of their individual requirements were met.”
The building is of traditional load bearing masonry and block work construction on raft foundations. Externally the building is composed of render and brickwork panels with reconstituted stonework details emphasising openings with white window frames. Internally the walls are plaster with the floors generally carpeted with wet areas covered in vinyl. The building footprint is approximately 1600m².
The project was commissioned by Affinity Healthcare, a leading provider of specialist mental health services to the NHS. The company also owns and operates the Cheadle Royal Hospital near Manchester. Putting the patients at the core of what they do the hospital management team was keen to enhance its existing facilities providing patients with a facility that would help with their recovery from mental illness.
Linda Stephens, Hospital Director, Middleton St George said: “We are delighted with the outcome of the project. We have reviewed feedback from patients and it has been immensely positive. Patients with mental illness have very specific requirements and need an environment which reflects this. The new medium secure unit makes them feel at home and doesn’t feel hospitalised or clinical which is crucial.
“It is safe, secure and spacious and the light and airy feel definitely helps create a pleasant and peaceful ambiance. We wanted high quality accommodation for people who would recover from mental illness and the space and environment created fits our brief perfectly. My job is to put the patients first and their feedback has been really encouraging.”
Following the successful completion of the women’s unit, Gelder and Kitchen was chosen to develop a Master Plan for a 72 bedded Mental Health Facility to be developed in phases on the same site which received approval in 2005. To meet the full range of care and treatment need the Master Plan included a building incorporating sports hall, café’ and additional amenities as part of the service configuration. The first new build of the master plan was completed in June 2007.
Links:
Gelder and Kitchen – www.gelderandkitchen.co.uk
Affinity Healthcare – www.affinityhealth.co.uk
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