Health unit on design award shortlist
9:16am Tuesday 13th May 2008
A NEW mental health unit has been shortlisted for a council design award.
River House was opened at Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monk's Orchard Road, Beckenham, on February 18.
It is one of the final three in the public buildings category of the Bromley Environmental Awards run by the council. Judges visited the site on May 10. The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony on June 27.
The 89-bed unit is purpose-built for people who need care and treatment in a medium secure environment.
Costing £33.5m, it is the culmination of six years' planning.
The hospital, founded in 1247, is run by the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Peter Pierzchniak said: "The therapeutic environment at River House is enormously beneficial to patients' recovery and we are very pleased it has been shortlisted for this award."