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Journey to better mental health |
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Highgate East moves a step closer |
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A major milestone was reached in the construction of our flagship inpatient facility at Highgate East with a “topping-out” ceremony on 27 October.
When opened in October 2023, the 78-bed facility will replace the ageing inpatient wards at St Pancras Hospital and provide an environment that supports the recovery of service users.
Highgate East will form a campus with Highgate Mental Health Centre, improving the way that clinical cover is organised and how facilities are managed.
The new facility will offer all single en suite rooms, outdoor space from each ward, therapy spaces, plus a sports hall and café which will be open to the public as part of a move to destigmatise mental health and ensure a more inclusive approach.
 Speaking at the “topping-out” ceremony service user, Carmen Barlow, said: “The designers have listened to the views of service users and as a result Highgate East will provide a calming and relaxed environment that will support recovery."
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 Jinjer Kandola MBE, Camden and Islington NHS Trust Chief Executive said: “Our transformation programme will improve impatient and community facilities for service users in Islington and Camden.
"In planning the design of the Highgate East building we have listened to our service users, staff, and the wider community. This will be a place where everyone is welcome, and everyone is respected."
“The inpatient services which will move to Highgate East are currently based at St Pancras Hospital in buildings that were never designed to provide modern-day care.
"It is vital that we care for people in a modern, therapeutic environment that is not only inspiring but also reflects the high standards of care that our staff provide.”
Gavin Pantlin, Construction Director at BAM said: “This is a massive milestone for the project. Topping out on the programme is a huge achievement for the whole team given the challenges that come with building on a small site.
“BAM are extremely proud to be involved in such an important project, one that will deliver a purpose-built community mental healthcare facility for C&I’s service users and the wider community.”
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Those who attended the Trust's 2022 Annual Members’ Meeting (AMM) were provided with an update on the St Pancras Transformation Programme.
Johnny Valavanis, one of our Experts-by-Experience, who is working with the Trust on the programme, said: “We enjoy being able to input into the design process. This has included everything from the floor layout, the colours, the paint, the fixtures and fittings. We hope this will help develop facilities that will be welcoming and a therapeutic, safe place for service users, carers, and staff alike. The designs are extremely exciting and I'm really passionate about what we can achieve.”
Interim Chair, Pippa Aitken, for whom this was her last AMM before stepping down, said: “I'm particularly pleased that the St Pancras Transformation Programme is progressing well, because that's what I was brought on to the Board to do, and I can say that I genuinely leave a legacy for the Trust." A full recording of the AMM is available online by clicking here.
 An artist's impression showing the front of our new community mental health facility at 1 Lowther Road, which will open in winter 2023.
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We are working with King’s Cross Central Limited Partnership on a vision to redevelop the St Pancras Hospital site to provide exceptional clinical care in modern, accessible and sustainable mental health facilities, and deliver a place that is accessible and welcoming to all. A consultation has been launched to seek views on the plans, including a dedicated website which can be viewed by clicking here.
Our plans also facilitate Oriel a new purpose-built centre of excellence for eye care, research, and education. Oriel is a joint initiative between Moorfields Eye Hospital, the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Charity. The first phase of Oriel started on 31 October 2022 with more information available via this link.
 An artist's impression of how the redevelopment programme might transform the St Pancras Hospital site.
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- For more information about the St Pancras Transformation programme and opportunities to have your say visit our Trust website.
- If you have questions, please email stpancrastransformation@candi.nhs.uk
- Our Transformation team are happy to attend local meetings and discuss the plans. Please request via email stpancrastransformation@candi.nhs.uk
- Our ambition is to be London’s greenest NHS mental health trust and to achieve net zero carbon by 2030. Find out more about our plans and meet the team behind them by watching this short video.
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