Atherleigh Park is a five-ward mental health hospital in Leigh, Wigan, that has set a new standard for mental healthcare excellence in the UK.
The facility has a total of 90 bedrooms. There are 48 en-suites (20 male acute, 20 female acute, 8 bed mixed), a 26-bed unit providing short stay intermediate care for patients with dementia and memory conditions, and a 16-bed unit for older people with mental health issues.
With the feeling and aesthetic of a community building, the hospital has often been mistaken for a hotel.
The facility is designed in line with the latest best practice guidance for mental health units. All components sourced are anti-ligature, while still allowing the option for service users to personalise their rooms.
Clinical accommodation is situated on the ground floor, with a maintenance access gantry in the roof void.
The cedar and red brick cladding exterior is warm and welcoming, de-stigmatising the environment and providing a homely feel.
Developed on a 3.9ha site, the building faces inwards to reduce the need for fences and diffuse the boundary between the hospital and the outside.
A dedicated therapy garden and hub within the facility creates a comfortable space that utilises natural care needs. Full-height glazing has been used to maximise natural light and ventilation.
The final project has proven to be a resounding success with patients, staff and visitors in a recent post occupancy survey.
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