Contractor appointed to build our new mental health inpatient facility in Highgate

Construction of the new building, opposite the Trust’s existing Highgate Mental Health Centre, is due to begin later this year, following planning permission approval. The new, purpose-built facility, with five wards, a gym, dedicated activity spaces and a community café, will replace the mental health inpatient wards at St Pancras Hospital which are ageing and no longer fit-for-purpose.

Trust Chief Executive, Angela McNab, said: ‘This appointment marks another exciting milestone in our plans to deliver a brand new inpatient mental health facility for people in Camden and Islington.’

During the last 12 months the Trust has worked closely with service users, carers, staff and architects to co-design the new facility. This has involved listening to their ideas, suggestions and experience of using existing inpatient services, with the feedback received helping to shape the design of the new building.

The Trust’s St Pancras Transformation Programme Director, Malcolm McFrederick, said: ‘Our aim is to develop a modern, therapeutic facility that supports wellbeing, recovery and enables staff to provide the best possible care. We are delighted that a contractor has now been appointed to turn year-long co-production discussions, into a reality.’

Trust Project Director, Akin Durowoju, who is leading the new build, said: ‘In appointing a contractor we considered not only their experience in mental health facility design and construction, but also how key responsibilities, such as those to the environment and local communities, are met.  We are confident that BAM Construction will deliver on all of those things.’

Gavin Pantlin, Construction Director for BAM, said:

‘Our experience combined with a highly modern and sophisticated approach is what the healthcare sector demands because of the range of sensitive environments patients and medical professionals experience. Our main concern is working closely with the Trust, understanding their needs clearly and thoroughly, and seeking ways to use the opportunity that building these new facilities brings to benefit others. We are eager to develop the strong relationship we have started to forge with the Trust and its partners so that many good things can develop from it, for the Trust, for its patients, and for the people who live and work in the area.’

BAM is behind more than 100 health schemes in London alone. It was appointed following a competitive process under the Procure 22 framework.

Notes to editors

• The new building will replace the Trust’s ageing inpatient mental health wards at St Pancras Hospital.
• The present wards at St Pancras Hospital do not meet modern health and safety needs, nor do they provide an effective therapeutic environment.
• The new facility is estimated to cost in the region of £70 million.
• Building will begin later this year, subject to planning permission being gained, and complete in summer 2022.

About the Trust

Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust (C&I) is the largest provider of mental health and substance misuse services to people living within the London boroughs of Camden and Islington. We also offer substance misuse and psychological therapies services to residents in Kingston.

We have two inpatient facilities, at St Pancras Hospital and at Highgate Mental Health Centre, as well as community-based services at around 30 sites throughout our three boroughs. 

Over the last year, we have seen continued success in delivering high quality services to our patients and carers and in January 2020, we were rated as ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission.

Our Trust is a member of University College London Partners (UCLP), one of the world’s leading academic health science partnerships, and through our work with UCL we continue to develop a strong reputation for supporting world-class quality research into mental health.

About BAM

BAM Construction in London is part of both BAM Construct UK which in turn is part of Royal BAM Group. In 150 years it has delivered some of the world’s most iconic and innovative structures, and is a pioneer in new thinking for the built environment. It is known not only for its high quality of workmanship, but for its people-focused, collaborative approach to delivery. BAM in London has built over 100 health schemes including, in recent times, for Great Ormond Street Hospital, BUPA and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. It is also currently engaged by Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital.

Further information: Mark Slattery, Press and Media Manager, BAM Construct UK Ltd, 01442 238415.