Date published: 9 May 2022
Chairman Beatrice Fraenkel joined clinical staff to mark the installation of the first steelwork for Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust’s state of the art £33 million hospital in Maghull.
Ms Fraenkel was on site for the installation of the first 350 tonnes of steelwork for Aspen Wood, as the hospital will be known. A 40 bed specialist learning disability hospital on Maghull Health Park, it marks a major investment in care for people with complex needs who require forensic NHS care.
The hospital is set to open to patients in 18 months and Ms Fraenkel said: “I’m so proud to see this brilliant new building under way. We’re committed to creating a centre of excellence in forensic care here in Sefton and Aspen Wood will be the latest part of that vision.”
The new low secure hospital will offer a world class therapeutic environment delivering an entirely new model of secure learning disability care. It will be equipped with the latest technology and innovation to improve quality, safety and world class patient experience and is a joint venture with Vinci Construction UK, Gilling Dod Architects and Sir Robert McAlpine on 6.5 acres of NHS land.
Mersey Care Chief Executive Prof Joe Rafferty CBE said: “Maghull has a long and living history of hospitals providing mental health care for more than a century, so we’re delighted to be continuing that tradition.
"This new hospital represents significant investment, delivering world class care in the most modern therapeutic environment. As the building itself comes together, it cements the future of Maghull Health Park as a centre of excellence, as well as help boost the local economy and jobs.”
Aspen Wood will sit alongside Rowan View, a state of the art medium secure hospital which has just completed its first year of operations at Maghull Health Park, and Garry Bowker, Regional Director for IHP (Integrated Health Projects) said: “We’re delighted to have reached this exciting milestone.
“Seeing the project take shape is really rewarding for the whole team and underlines just how well works are progressing. Working closely with Mersey Care’s team has been crucial in developing this new world class therapeutic environment which will ensure the highest standards of care are provided.”
Contractors for the hospital are keen to work with the local community and are keen to employ people from the area during construction. More than 150 people will be working in Aspen Wood once it opens next autumn and during construction 250 operatives will be involved in the building work.
“For anyone considering working in a secure setting, whether you are a learning disability nurse, occupational therapist or any number of other roles, Mersey Care is the place to come,” added Prof Rafferty. “With stunning new facilities like this – our third new build in as many years - you’d be based in perhaps the most advanced clinical environment in the country.”
Please go online to “Mersey Care jobs” to see opportunities in a range of services in Maghull and elsewhere and learn about how we support work life balance and offer opportunities to grow a career in care.