Edward Street Hospital
£30m mental health redevelopment delivered via P22.
The Trust has a long standing and successful relationship with Archus spanning some five years. As a mental health Trust, it is particularly important to us that our partners' values and culture are aligned to ours and that, as a company, the wellbeing of their workforce is paramount, but also that they take pride in their team and partnerships formed with organisations like ours. In my experience the Archus team represent these values, and our long-standing relationship reflects their approach and style to working in partnership. Their professionalism, friendly and flexible approach has added much value and allows us to continue working together on projects. The team works well with ours and their collaborative style and approach to project management is well regarded by the Trust.
Sophie Wray, Associate Director of Strategic Estates and Capital, Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Background
Edward Street Hospital in Sandwell has long been a cornerstone of older adult mental health services. However, its dormitory-style wards and outdated layout no longer met modern standards for privacy, dignity, or dementia care. In response to a national programme to eradicate dormitory accommodation in mental health settings, the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust initiated a £30 million redevelopment to create a safe, therapeutic, and recovery-focused environment.
Challenge
The hospital’s existing infrastructure was not fit for purpose. It lacked privacy, had poor infection control, and was unsuitable for dementia-friendly care. The urgency of the challenge was compounded by the need to maintain services during redevelopment and align clinical needs with modern design standards. The goal was to deliver a facility that could support personalised care and recovery while meeting national policy objectives.
Approach
Archus served as the P22 Project Manager from preconstruction through delivery, acting as NEC3 PM. The team worked closely with the Trust, IHP (VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine), and WT Partnership to ensure clinical needs were embedded in every design and construction decision. Archus also led early-stage business case development, programme management, and stakeholder engagement.
Key features of the new facility include:
- 100% en-suite single bedrooms
- A therapies hub and flexible therapy spaces
- Outdoor terraces and dementia-friendly design
- Improved infection control and accessibility
- Sustainability and community benefit initiatives, including local employment and training
Lessons learned
Every project teaches us something new. Here are a few reflections from our journey:
- Mental health deserves parity. This investment sends a powerful message: older adults with mental health conditions deserve the same quality of environment as any acute care patient.
- Early engagement is everything. Involving patients, carers, and staff from the outset helped shape a facility that truly meets their needs.
- Integration of the team is key – having shared working environments for all members of the Project Team and Contractor team offered opportunities to develop relationships, address key issues in a more organic manor and work as a collective towards a shared goal.
- Flexibility in design pays off. The ability to adapt spaces for different therapeutic uses has already proven valuable.
- Partnerships drive progress. The success of this project hinged on the strength of our collaboration with the Trust and delivery partners.
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