A new state-of-the-art mental health centre has been delivered at Belfast City Hospital, allowing patients to recover in a 21st century care environment.

The £33m Acute Mental Health Inpatient Centre consists of five separate interconnecting buildings arranged around a cloistered central courtyard, and communal and administration areas. It provides a total of 80 ensuite bedrooms, comprising 74 acute mental health en-suite bedrooms and six psychiatric intensive care beds.

Attention has also been paid to the surrounding environment to ensure the colours, lighting, materials, furniture, fixtures and fittings create a therapeutic space for patients.

The project was delivered by GRAHAM-BAM Healthcare Partnership (GBHP), a joint venture between GRAHAM and BAM Contractors Ltd which delivers strategic healthcare projects on the island of Ireland, on behalf of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

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Peter Reavey, Director of GBHP, said: "We are very proud to add the Acute Mental Health Inpatient (AMH) Centre to our healthcare portfolio as the centre is a modern, state-of-the-art facility that will provide a 21st century care environment for mentally ill patients to recover.

"The build process presented many challenges during the construction of the new AMH Centre which our project team successfully overcame, to provide our client – Belfast Health & Social Care Trust with the finished product to the quality standards they require."

Welcoming the completion of the Acute Mental Health Inpatient Centre, Karen Brookes – Co –Director Capital Planning and Re-development - Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, commented: "Since its appointment in 2016, GRAHAM-BAM has sought to understand the Trust's requirements and has fully engaged with us to ensure that we were working towards a common goal of minimising risk to our clients. We needed to have confidence in the fabric and quality of finish within the building, so that it would not create any additional risk to vulnerable individuals. Throughout construction, the focus remained firmly on meeting the needs of the client.

She added: "Drawing upon the combined expertise of builders, designers and health care practitioners, we have created the first purpose-built, acute mental health inpatient hospital within the Belfast area designed to ensure that the environment supports and improves every future inpatient's experience. We look forward to continuing to work with GRAHAM-BAM."

(CM/MH)