Boosting self-esteem in an ‘orderly’ space

The design for Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust’s new mental health unit at Walton Hospital, Chesterfield, has been delivered by leading architects, Race Cottam Associates, as Health Estate Journal reports.

Construction of the 2,900 m2 development required the demolition of several vacant buildings on the Walton Hospital site, paving the way for a new unit boasting two purpose-designed, 24-bedded wards. All rooms are singlebedded with en suite facilities, and the showcase project also incorporates a range of service-led facilities for elderly mental health patients, including physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Construction work began in February 2009, with Sheffield-based Race Cottam Associates working in partnership with contractors Strata Construction, mechanical and electrical engineers JSH Consulting, and structural engineering company Hannah Reed, a high calibre team Race Cottam says has ensured that the new build is “of the highest quality standards in all aspects of its design”. Race Cottam says the £11 million construction project and its brief form an important part of the Derbyshire County PCT’s commitment to improving mental health care. The practice’s lead architect on the project, Tim Robinson, said: “Designing new healthcare facilities for patients with dementia and other infirmities associated with advancing years throws up particular considerations in terms of the best environment for their particular needs. Consequently we have realised that some different criteria will apply to the design of any buildings which are to be used by this category of patient.”

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