Sir Robert McAlpine to build new facilities at Springfield Hospital

After receiving government approval, South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust (SWLSTG) has signed contracts for the delivery of the Springfield University Hospital development with Springfield and Tolworth Estate Partnership (STEP), a 50/50 partnership between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures Ltd and Kajima Partnerships.

STEP will act as master developer for the site with Sir Robert McAlpine as main contractor for the new mental health units and the park, surrounding public realm and infrastructure.

This £150m development will see the construction of two new mental health facilities set to open in 2022 on its largest site in Tooting, south London. This includes eight new inpatient wards which will be further boosted by the modernisation of the Trust’s community services. SWLSTG has already started construction work on this programme, which will include new housing and a 32-acre public park (the first of its kind since the 2012 London Olympics).

This huge milestone in the Trust’s Estate Modernisation Programme marks a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the way the SWLSTG delivers mental health services for 1.1m south west Londoners.

The plans will bring forward a range of benefits to the people who use the Trust’s services, their carers and the local community, including:

• World class mental health facilities: delivering the best care for patients
• 839 brand new homes: providing housing for local families in Tooting
• A 32-acre public park: providing excellent outdoor space including a gym and play areas for our local community
• Community shops and a café: for local residents to meet and relax
• Extensive community healthcare: treating people closer to their families and their home
• District heating system and centralised energy centre: providing efficient heating and reducing carbon emissions
• Land to be made available for a new school: investing in our children’s future
• More than £5million for new transport facilities: boosting transport links for local residents

Ann Beasley CBE, Chair of South West London and St. George’s Mental Health NHS Trust, said:

“This is the biggest landmark yet in our Estate Modernisation Programme and we are extremely proud of getting permission to go ahead and being able to start work on these brand-new, first class inpatient facilities. This new environment will make a huge difference to our patients and the way we provide the best quality care towards their recovery. Furthermore, this work will ensure that the Springfield University Hospital site is regenerated in a way which reduces the stigma of mental health conditions by integrating our organisation with our community.”

Vanessa Ford, Acting Chief Executive of South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust, added:

“The wards will revolutionise the way we deliver care for generations to come and ensure we can provide high quality and safe services. The new facilities have been carefully designed alongside our clinicians and service users to provide the most supportive environment and innovative facilities for the delivery of mental health care. As well as good news for patients, the new hospital facilities will be positive for the environment with much more efficient use of energy and working towards a carbon neutral footprint.”