Springfield & Tolworth Hospitals, Mental Health
As the architectural consultant of the South West London and St George’s NHS Mental Health Trust C.F. Møller Architects are currently designing two new mental health hospitals at the Trust’s Springfield and Tolworth sites. ][]The new mental hospitals will accommodate services including Forensic, Adult Acute, Older Persons, Adult Deaf, Adult Eating Disorders and OCD/BDD wards alo]ng with a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Campus. The two hospital sites will provide 286 new beds, outpatient services, Recovery College, teaching facilities and support services. Additionally, as the Springfield University Hospital is at the centre of a 33 hectare estate regeneration, C.F. Møller is also advising the Trust in the planning and phasing of the site-wide infrastructure, residential development and urban design around the hospital. The design work for the Trust seek to deliver therapeutic and safe environments that meet wide ranging patient, staff and commissioning requirements. The C.F. Møller design team conducted research into over 20,000 incidents that occurred on mental health wards in South London from 2009-13. The conclusion from this study is that incidents, especially incidents of violence and self-harm, can be greatly reduced through careful and considered design. While there is great variation in types of illness and service user pathways in mental health facilities, a growing body of evidence demonstrates the health benefits of good architecture and attractive environments in improving patient outcomes. Creation of non-institutional environments with good sightlines and acoustics, ample daylight, natural ventilation, access to gardens and outdoor spaces are key design requirements. Learn more