Groundbreaking ceremony marks start of multimillion pound redevelopment of Barnes Hospital
Patients, carers, NHS staff, teachers, and community leaders came together in Richmond, South West London, to mark a major milestone: the beginning of a transformative regeneration programme at Barnes Hospital.
At a special groundbreaking ceremony, we celebrated the start of work to develop a state-of-the-art NHS mental health facility and a new Special Educational Needs (SEN) school.
This joint development is being delivered by our Trust and LocatED, an arm’s-length body of the Department for Education. Together, we are investing over £30 million to enhance the support we offer to local people, uplifting mental health and educational services for generations to come.
NHS Trust Chief Executive, Vanessa Ford, said:
“Today marks the next step in our journey to deliver modern, community-facing mental healthcare for the people of Richmond. We want to create inclusive new spaces to deliver better environments and better care for our patients, now and in the future.
“Our Better Communities programme is driving important changes across our estate, and we are excited to see construction begin here at Barnes as we strive to create environments that improve patient experience, reduce mental health stigma, and bring care closer to home.”
The new NHS facility will provide accommodation for a range of community mental health services, which relocated from Barnes to the Trust’s Livingston House facility in Teddington in 2023. When Barnes reopens in 2027, the Trust’s expanded community services will continue to operate from both sites, supporting accessibility across the borough.
Th e school, the London River Academy, will provide 90 places for children with social and emotional mental health (SEMH) needs and will be operated by the Beckmead Trust.
Lara Newman, Chief Executive of LocatED said:
“By working closely with our NHS partners and the Beckmead Trust, we're demonstrating how collaborative approaches can transform public services and deliver exceptional facilities for the communities we serve. We're proud to be contributing to the wider regeneration of this historic site, creating a purpose-built environment where children can thrive for generations to come.”
Jonty Clark, Chief Executive of Beckmead Trust said:
" The Beckmead Trust Is delighted to have been selected by the council to be the sponsors of this fantastic new special school. Beckmead will be responsible for the running of the school and delivering specialist Care and education to some of the most disadvantaged children in the borough.
“The trust and the council have been working together closely in planning the opening of the school and the children who will attend. There is already an excellent working partnership between Beckmead and the council with the trust successfully supporting children with transition programs delivered in various locations. This is a wonderful opportunity to enhance the Education of some very complex children in this wonderful state of the art school.”
Barnes’ redevelopment has been informed by consultations with staff, patients and the wider community over a number of years, with a residential development led by LS Estates also due to come forward on the remaining part of the site.
Kathy Sheldon, Chair of the Friends of Barnes Hospital, said :
“We are really pleased to have played a part in consultations on Barnes over a number of years, and we look forward to continuing to support the Trust in the final stages of this as it works to create attractive environments for patients and staff.”
“The Friends have been an integral part of Barnes Hospital for decades and we look forward to engaging with the school and the new community here as it comes to life.”
The hospital’s transformation is part of a major programme of rebuilding
mental health facilities across South West London.
This started with the £150m redevelopment of Springfield University Hospital in Wandsworth in 2022/23, and will be followed by the opening of the new Richmond Royal Wellbeing Centre this summer, and the re-opening of Barnes Hospital in 2027. The progamme will conclude with the £110m redevelopment of Tolworth Hospital in Kingston, due to be delivered in 2028.
In all this represents a £280m investment in local mental health services and makes up a key part of our Trust’s ‘Anchor’ work. This aims to use NHS resources strategically and deliver investments that support communities to be healthier, happier and greener.
Find out more about the Better Communities Programme, and the redevelopment of Barnes Hospital here.
