SECTOR SPOTLIGHT 23 SECTOR SPOTLIGHT: HEALTHCARE
Taking a forensic approach to secure mental health provision
A new medium secure unit at Northgate Park Hospital in Northumberland by Medical Architecture offers a fresh approach to the treatment of people with mental health issues who are going through the justice system
D
eveloped around the concept of a ‘village campus,’ a new medium secure hospital at the heart of the £60m redevelopment of Northgate Park Hospital in Northumberland, provides a variety of indoor and outdoor settings for relaxation and activity, relieving boredom and addressing the risk of challenging behaviours and poor physical health.
Designed by Medical Architecture and built by Sir Robert McAlpine for NTW Solutions (Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust), the unit is vital to the future delivery of modern and effective forensic mental health services for alleged or convicted offenders in the north east of England.
Consolidation catalyst
The new facility is the catalyst to allow all secure services across the trust to be brought together from previously dispersed sites, consolidated in a single, integrated secure centre. The entire redevelopment provides a total of 116 male inpatient beds, located in a combination of new and reconfigured existing buildings. The new-build element, named Sycamore, provides inpatient accommodation for 72 male patients with a range of forensic mental health needs, including patients with complex personality disorders and/or learning disabilities. The project, which was delivered through Cohort 1 of the NHS New Hospital Programme, fulfils one of the trust’s key strategic priorities, forming part of their £72.6m Care Environment Development and Re-provision programme (CEDAR).
ADF FEBRUARY 2024
Using the woodland setting The existing hospital site is a large open campus, containing a mix of buildings and facilities. Much of the eastern portion, which was earmarked for development, is neighboured by a broad area of mature woodland. Proposals set out to develop a portion of the land for the new building, with the remaining allocated for housing development. Early work demonstrated benefits to siting the new hospital where it would be flanked by an aspect of trees on three sides: the natural setting enhancing the therapeutic nature of the accommodation.
It is well recognised that in secure mental health inpatient units, boredom leads to challenging behaviours and poor physical health. Therefore, a key driver for the design was to ensure a meaningful day for all patients,
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK SYCAMORE
The unit consolidates secure services onto one site surrounded by trees; the facility is devised as a ‘village campus’ focusing on the individual patient
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