CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) Facility, Chester
Overview
The contract was awarded on behalf of the Trust by Villicare, Ryhurst’s joint venture with CWP, which was formed to assist the Trust with its capital investment programme, and managed the delivery of the project.
The new unit is a ‘Tier 4’ facility, providing in-patient and day-patient care for children and young people with severe and/or complex mental health conditions that are beyond the remit of community CAMH services.
The two storey facility has been built within the grounds of the Countess of Chester Health Park on a site owned by CWP. It provides 26 beds in two wards of 12 and 14 beds, each of which has been subdivided into two smaller areas with beds and day spaces, a central nurses’ station and a seclusion suite and a 4 bed PICU.
The new CAMHS unit also includes an education centre, secure gardens enclosed by the building for security and privacy, along with horticultural and landscaped areas providing recreational facilities including outdoor exercise apparatus.
Admin facilities on the ground floor adjoin a small two-storey section of the building, as well as visiting areas and communal spaces, such as Activities of Daily Living (ADL) amenities, exercise room and multi-faith area. The building is the shared vision of CWP and the young people in their care to ensure the facility is safe, person-centred and effective.
Awards
Design in Mental Health Service User Engagement Winner 2017
Design in Mental Health Project of the Year Winner 2017
8 Apprenticeships created 
49 Work opportunities provided 
42/50 Considerate Constructors score 
99% Waste recycled
Key Challenges
This project has been undertaken on a live site environment with the existing hospital remaining operational throughout the build.
The scheme included complex and varied façade material interfaces and geometry which involved a high level of attention to detail and quality checks.
Throughout the duration of the project we incorporated a number of changes which we were able to incorporate into our programme.
Added Value
We worked closely with the project and client team to incorporate and deliver a large number of changes within the project scope, resulting in what our client has described as an ‘exceptional facility’.