Meaningful days in focus at Morpeth MSU

Designed by Medical Architecture and built by Sir Robert McAlpine for NTW Solutions — Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Sycamore at Northgate Hospital is vital to the future delivery of modern and effective forensic mental health services in the North East of England. 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 of excellence. 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, delivered through Cohort 1 of the NHS New Hospital Programme, fulfils one of the Trust's key strategic priorities, forming part of its £72.6 m Care Environment Development and Re-provision programme (CEDAR).

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 feasibility 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. A key driver for the design was thus to ensure a meaningful day for all service-users, promoting recovery through activity. As a result, the facility is devised as a 'village campus' focusing on the individual patient and staff experience, with as many spaces as possible, both inside and out, offering opportunities for mitigating boredom. This is achieved in a range of settings that can be accessed autonomously — from bedrooms to living spaces, and sheltered gardens to open courtyards, with opportunities for both structured and unstructured sports and activities.