An update on the redevelopment of Tolworth Hospital
For a number of years now, our Trust has been working together with patients, carers staff and our wider communities to transform our mental health estate.
We are replacing Victorian era buildings and temporarily refurbished accommodation with new, modern buildings that are more suited to delivering the best quality mental health care. These facilities support improved patient outcomes and provide en-suite accommodation, as well as improved access to space, light and nature, with in-built courtyard gardens.
In 2019, a business case was agreed to redevelop Springfield and Tolworth Hospitals. This was based on a public consultation and a number of years of partnership work with our communities, patients and staff.
We are now at the half-way point on this journey having completed the £150m transformation of Springfield Hospital in Wandsworth by opening the new Trinity and Shaftesbury buildings and the new ‘Springfield Village’ in 2023. This has already delivered lasting health, social and economic benefits for our community. In addition, we have secured the redevelopment of Barnes Hospital and our site at the former Richmond Royal, which are both progressing.
Redeveloping Tolworth Hospital
The Trust received planning permission to redevelop Tolworth Hospital in 2022. This represents the second phase of the Better Environments programme.
We are seeking to invest a total of £110m at Tolworth, to create our second centre of excellence (alongside Springfield) serving the 1.2m people across Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth.
Our programme to rebuild Springfield and now Tolworth is self-funded through the sales of parts of our 92-acre estate at Springfield in Wandsworth that is not required for NHS care. Some of this land is being used to develop new residential housing as part of the ‘Springfield Village’ community at Tooting in Wandsworth which includes new mental health facilities, homes, shops, a public square and a new 32-acre park for our whole community.
What next
Works at Tolworth are split into two stages. Early works to remove our old and unused building as the centre of the site began earlier this year and will conclude in December. Following this, and pending final agreement and the securing of funding, we hope to begin works to redevelop facilities at Tolworth to emulate Springfield Hospital’s transformation.
In March 2024, although recommended for approval by officers, planning permission for the final housing development at Springfield was narrowly refused at the Wandsworth Planning Applications Committee. These land sales unlock the funding for the redevelopment of Tolworth Hospital.
Together with our patients, carers, staff and wider stakeholders the Trust remains committed to redeveloping Tolworth Hospital. Pending final approvals and agreement of funding, works will progress with the build taking approximately two years, ultimately providing state-of-the-art facilities for a range of the Trust’s acute and specialist services.
Find out more about our Better Environments programme
