Joe Rafferty, Mersey Care's Chief Executive, writes an update on plans for a new mental health hospital in Southport.



It doesn’t seem five minutes since I was at our pre-Christmas ground-breaking ceremony to mark the official start of building a new 44-bed mental health hospital in Southport. It’s great to be able to report now that works on site are going at a pace and the project is having a positive effect on the wider community.



Our Estates and Communications Teams are working with construction partners on a range of engagement opportunities, one of which is our builders Farran Heron Joint Venture, who will host a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event at Bootle Town Hall on 22 February with Sefton Council’s investment and employment service. This will enable local tradesmen and suppliers to bid for work, fixtures and fittings and contribute to regeneration across our local economy.

Heavy equipment is currently on site carrying out major groundworks and as part of our good neighbour approach a monthly drop-in site visit has been established for local residents to meet the site manager and see progress. I’m also delighted that lots of Mersey Care’s Southport staff have been getting involved in detailed space planning sessions (see below) and more awareness-raising sessions for both staff, service users and carers, are planned soon.