Project: Northampton Mental Health PFI

Client: Mill Asset Group

Value: £36.0m

Contract: PFI

Duration: On Site

The project will provide a new 135-bed mental health facility in Northampton incorporating adult acute, elderly, continuing care, respite care, day hospital, intensive care and admissions. There will also be additional administration facilities, a library, pharmacy, café, multi-faith room and 172 car parking spaces, together with secure facilities for cycles and motorcycles.

The new rooms include 77 beds for adults up to the age of 65, which will be provided in one 12-bed admission ward and two 17-bed treatment wards. There will also be a seven-bed intensive care unit, a 12-bed low secure unit and two rehabilitation wards.

There will also be 48 beds for older people, which will be provided in four 12-bed wards, as well as a day hospital for older people.

The new building which will replace the existing Pendered Centre in Duston. Phase 1 of the project was successfully completed and handed over at the end of 2008 and Phase 2 is on programme for handover in Spring 2010.

In October, the project celebrated the structure reaching maximum height with a 'topping out' ceremony. A 'golden bolt' was tightened by the Chairman of Northamptonshire Healthcare Trust, John Peet, while a 7ft pine tree was also positioned at the highest point, a symbol dating back to Roman times that is meant to bring good luck to the lifetime of the building.

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