Mersey Care ends dormitory wards in Liverpool

Dormitory wards are set to end in Liverpool after work has now begun on a new state of the art 80 bed mental health facility based on the site of the old Mossley Hill Hospital in the city, approved by the Treasury and Department of Health.

Contracts for Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust’s plans for the site have now been signed and will consolidate services from across Liverpool with the new hospital expected to open in 2024. Plans for the new building on Park Avenue have been subject to extensive public engagement going back to 2016.

“We’re delighted to be starting work on site so we can give the people of Liverpool what they need – the very best care in a modern, therapeutic environment with single en suite facilities and easy access to gardens and open space,” said Prof Joe Rafferty CBE, Mersey Care’s Chief Executive.

 “Our current inpatient estate has been identified as a limiting factor in service users’ recovery. More than that, by delivering better buildings we’re also setting newer and higher standards in mental health care for everyone.”

Pictured above: Artist's impression of the new Mossley Hill Hospital site

The old Mossley Hill hospital was a mixture of buildings dating from 1938 and although the historic mansion building on Park Avenue was retained, the rest of the site has been cleared. Material from the older buildings were crushed for re use on site as future building materials, as part of a clear environmental strategy for the new development which also includes trees, gardens, cycle parking and car charging points.

Last year a competitive tendering process took place overseen by the Liverpool and Sefton Health Partnership. Construction giants GRAHAM were chosen as the preferred build partner because of their wide experience including numerous health sector projects and architects Gilling Dod have worked with patients, service users, carers and stakeholders to create the modern, airy designs for the building.

Prof Rafferty said: “This is a major investment in care for the people of Liverpool. It’s also important for our staff and for those building it. This news enables people with mental health needs to know they will have a therapeutic environment to rest and recover from their crisis episode.

“We’re looking forward to seeing our new building with all of its en suite single bedroom accommodation, fulfilling a national pledge in improving care standards.”

A recent online engagement exercise saw the majority of respondents keen to retain the name ‘Mossley Hill’ for the new site. Locals have been kept informed of plans with leaflet drops and there are open day events planned throughout the construction period.

Since 2015 Mersey Care have committed to improving its estate. In that time, the Trust’s capital investment has been more than £300m, and has seen the construction of award winning hospitals including Clock View, Rowan View and Hartley Hospital. Mersey Care has also opened Leigh Moss Hospital and four Life Rooms sites and are now building a new low secure facility at Maghull Health Park.