Journey to better mental health

January 2023

A clinical view of the year ahead

This will be an exciting year for the Trust with Highgate East, our new flagship inpatient facility, and Lowther Road, our purpose-built community mental health hub, both completing in 2023.

For a clinical view on what this year will bring we spoke to Dr Fredrik Johansson, Consultant Psychiatrist in the Islington Crisis Team and Quality Improvement Clinical Lead.

How long have you worked at C&I?
I came to the Trust in 2012 as a trainee psychiatrist and my first job was at Daleham Gardens acute day unit and the Camden Crisis Team. A great service and it really opened my eyes to how a good environment can support good care.

What are the main challenges facing the Trust?
Our biggest challenges are retaining our staff, finding new roles in mental health, and attracting a new group of people to work in mental health services. 

Why is the Transformation Programme important?
There are so many great venues and facilities in Camden and Islington but our mental health estate has been in need of updating for a long time.

This gives the impression that mental health is not seen as equal to, say, cancer where you see these amazing buildings providing care for patients.

The people who live in Camden and Islington, who have mental health illnesses, and those who work at C&I, deserve to have great healthcare facilities.

I also think the Transformation Programme will be a great way to attract new people to come and work for us.

What excites you about the new facilities?

I hope the modern inpatient and community facilities will make the experience of service users and visitors much better and make patients' recovery an easier journey.

I also hope those working in the new spaces will feel less stressed and happier in their work.

I am particularly keen to see the gym and café open at Highgate East and be used not only by our service users and staff, but also by the local community. 

Transformation has been a very long process. I would like to acknowledge the amount of work that has gone into creating the new buildings and to thank everyone who has contributed.

It has been difficult for many of our teams who have needed to relocate and adapt as a result of the building works.

I am grateful for their efforts in keeping things going despite the disruptions.

Have your say on our St Pancras Hospital development plans

Together with our partner, King’s Cross Central Limited Partnership (KCCLP), we are unveiling the initial vision for the development of the St Pancras Hospital site at a series of consultation events.

Local people are invited to learn more about the masterplan and to have their say on the proposals. Views can be provided by phone or email or through an online survey by clicking here.

Events are also being held to give people the opportunity to meet the team, ask any questions and provide feedback:

• Thursday 26 January 6pm to 7pm - Zoom webinar (register through this link)
• Tuesday 31 January 2.30pm to 3.30pm - The Living Centre, 2 Ossulston St, London NW1 1DF
• Wednesday 1 February 12.30pm to 3.30pm - The Living Centre, 2 Ossulston St, London NW1 1DF

For full event details email SPHConsultation@londoncommunications.co.uk or call 0800 096 7279. Information about the development plans including initial sketches can be seen on a dedicated website by clicking this link.

The first consultation event held at St Pancras Hospital on 23 January allowed local people to learn more about the redevelopment plans.

Lowther Road takes shape

Construction of our new community mental health facility at 1 Lowther Road is making good progress. When completed, at the end of 2023, Lowther Road will provide a modern, welcoming space in the heart of the community. It will offer integrated services that address both mental health and physical health. Importantly, Lowther Road will also provide an enhanced working environment for our staff.

Find out more

If you have any questions about our St Pancras Transformation Programme please email communications@candi.nhs.uk.  Further information is also available on our Trust website via this link.