25 June 2009
Rooftop celebrations were held at Antelope House, the eagerly awaited purpose built new adult mental health unit in Southampton, during a special topping out ceremony to mark the half way stage of construction.
The ceremony was led by Hampshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Nick Yeo who described how the new building will replace the existing department of psychiatry, providing a safe and secure environment designed to enhance high quality care.
Speaking at the event, he said: "It’s great to see the construction progressing so well. It will be wonderful this time next year to be able to move our patients into a new purpose built unit tailored to their needs. This topping out ceremony is just another step closer to that goal."
The new facility is being provided by South West Hampshire LIFTCo, a company set up with the aim of delivering better access to extended services from better buildings and closer to home.
The company is owned by Southampton City and Hampshire PCTs, Community Health Partnerships and gbprimarycare, a consortium of companies led by Assura LIFT Holdings, with Geoffrey Osbourne as lead contractor.
Once completed the unit, named Antelope House in tribute to the old Southampton cricket ground it is being built on, will hold 50 inpatient beds, a ten-bed psychiatric intensive care unit, therapy services and facilities to meet a range of local requirements.
David Acklam, head of LIFT at Assura, said: "We are delighted to see how quickly this landmark project has taken shape.
"It being built in conjunction with the newly renamed Adelaide Health Centre, which is another project being provided by South West Hampshire LIFTCo. Both schemes are designed to provide a first class environment for both mental health and primary care patients."
Simon Murray, Osborne Chairman, added: "We’re on course for the opening next year. This in an important step in enabling the Trust to improve mental health services in Southampton."
Construction is expected to be completed by June 2010 and will open to patients shortly after.
ENDS
Press enquiries regarding Assura Group to:
Russell Elliott, Assura Group.
Tel: 020 7107 3833
Louise Bathersby, Assura Group.
Tel: 020 7107 3830
