The completion of Highgate East, a brand-new NHS mental health inpatient building on the Camden, Haringey and Islington border was marked on Friday 1 March, by the handover of keys from BAM, the construction company, to the North London Mental Health Partnership (NLMHP) who own the building.
Highgate East’s cutting-edge design provides 78 single ensuite rooms, replacing ageing inpatient facilities at St Pancras Hospital in Camden and providing a purpose-built environment which will support the recovery of service users and significantly improve the working lives of staff.
The new building has outdoor space from each ward, therapy spaces, plus a sports hall and a new community café.
Nicola Theron, Director of Estates at North Central London Integrated Care Board, said: “We are delighted that this new purpose-built space is now open and able to help people affected by mental ill health recover in a state-of-the-art, therapeutic environment.
“Highgate East has been created with and for the people who will be using and working in it and replaces ageing buildings that were no longer fit for purpose.
“This new hospital is part of a wider programme of work to upgrade and improve old and decaying NHS properties in north central London and will ensure people are supported to get the help they need in the best, most modern facilities”.
Jinjer Kandola MBE, NLMHP Chief Executive said: “The mental health inpatient services moving to Highgate East are currently based at St Pancras Hospital, in buildings which were never designed to provide modern-day mental health care. Through our St Pancras Transformation Programme, we are delivering new therapeutic environments for service users and carers and improved working environments for our staff.
“Highgate East’s cutting-edge design has been co-produced with our service users, carers, staff, and the wider community. Our new building will also be a valuable community asset with a café open to the public helping to destigmatise mental health.”
Gavin Pantlin, BAM Construction Director, said: “[Today] we are delighted to hand over this state-of-the-art facility. This has not been a typical build; the design has been influenced by a wide-ranging team, with a huge focus on wellbeing incorporated in the design, this includes access to outdoor space, quiet areas, access to sports & recreation and a family visiting area.
“Everyone involved can be hugely proud of what they have achieved during the design and construction phase, and we look forward to the facility leaving a legacy for the NHS, the users of the building and the wider local community.”
