St Andrew’s Hospital in Northampton given go-ahead to build £45m mental health facility
The largest mental health facility in Europe for young people will be built in Northampton after St Andrew's Hospital was given planning permission for the new building.
The centre, which will cost £45 million, will care for young people with mental illness, autism and learning difficulties. Work is expected to start later this year.
St Andrew's is a charity which provides specialist NHS care.
A spokeswoman said the new building in Cliftonville Road will bring together adolescent services on one site and will treat patients from across the country.
"Alongside 110 residential beds, it will include a school, sports and therapy areas and a number of landscaped courtyards," she said.
"The new building is part of the Charity's wide-ranging programme of work to improve and upgrade our clinical environments for our patients. The building will cost £45 million, cementing St Andrew's investment both as a major employer in Northampton and in the community. It is one of several large projects currently planned or being built in the local area," she added.
St Andrew's chief executive officer, Gil Baldwin said: "Our new building will help to meet the increasing demand for mental health services for young people across the country. This tailor-made clinical environment will help us provide the best care, treatment and support for our young patients and help them on their road to recovery."
"As a charity, we want to ensure we help our young people to fulfil their individual potential and help them move forward in their lives. Developing a culture of learning can help to raise their self-esteem, improve their confidence and independence.
"We already offer extensive education opportunities through St Andrew's College, our school, which is already rated outstanding by OFSTED. We will continue to offer outstanding educational facilities for our young people in our new building, in a safe and positive therapeutic environment," he added.