A multi-million pound project to create ‘state-of-the-art facilities’ to support mental health patients in Norfolk and Suffolk has achieved sectional completion for three new wards and a gym facility.
Service-users, carers, and staff, have all been involved with the development of the new building to improve facilities for inpatient care at Hellesdon Hospital in Norwich. The investment – the single largest capital investment ever to improve facilities at the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) – will modernise inpatient mental healthcare and benefit service-users, their families and carers, and staff. The project has been delivered by Integrated Health Projects (IHP), the joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine.
The Trust says that new Rivers Centre wards will allow it to provide modern, purpose-built environments and therapeutic space, and additional capacity, with the extra 15 beds helping to reduce out-of-area and independent sector placements for local people needing inpatient mental healthcare, treatment, and support.
VINCI Building’s Regional director, Paul Tumelty, said: “We are delighted that Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust gave us the opportunity to fulfil our purpose at the Rivers Centre, and bring its vision to life for a state-of the-art facility to support mental health patients.”
Katie Fenn, Senior Project manager at VINCI Building, added: “This project is an example of what can be achieved with the right planning, design, dedication, and collaboration, to create a centre that will impact positively on communities, businesses, and local people. I am extremely proud of the team and our supply chain partners, who have worked tirelessly on the new Rivers Centre, and I look forward to the buildings becoming a reality.”
The scheme involves the construction of three new ward buildings, a purpose-built gym ,and a central hub, ‘carefully designed to promote a feeling of community’ – and housing a main reception and café. The project has focused on ensuring a sustainable future, with electricity supplied from solar panels, and heating via air source heat pumps.