Pioneering new mental health facilities delivered by IHP in Derby and Chesterfield are designed to enhance patient experience and support recovery.
The Carsington Unit and Kingfisher House, based at Kingsway Hospital in Derby, and Chesterfield’s Derwent Unit were constructed by Integrated Health Projects (IHP), the healthcare joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine.
The Carsington Unit, which opened to patients in May, provides 54 individual en-suite rooms and a range of therapeutic spaces designed to enhance patient experience and support recovery. The facility is part of the Trust’s commitment to removing dormitory-style accommodation and replacing it with modern, dignified environments for mental health care.
Kingfisher House is a brand-new, 14 single room male Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) providing intensive care for men experiencing acute mental health crises who require a higher level of support than an acute setting. This adjoins the new Carsington Unit and allows for easier ‘step-down care’ as service users' health improves.
The Derwent Unit in Chesterfield welcomed 54 patients offering individual en-suite rooms and a range of modern, therapeutic facilities, aiding patient experience and supporting the recovery of those with mental health needs when it opened in March 2025.
All three units form part of the NHS Trust's £150m Making Room for Dignity programme, replacing outdated facilities so they meet the demands of modern healthcare.
James Beardmore, Project Manager at IHP, said: “We are proud to have delivered these facilities successfully through close partnership working. It is great to see them operational and benefitting patients across Derbyshire.”
Chris Winspear, Regional Director, IHP, said: “It’s been fantastic working in partnership with Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to deliver this modern mental health care facility. Our shared goal was to create a warm, welcoming environment that supports patients on their recovery journey, while providing a safe and functional space for staff and visitors. This project reflects our commitment to building spaces that truly make a difference in people’s lives.”
Mark Powell, Chief Executive of Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “These facilities have been shaped by the voices of those who use our services or have loved ones who have needed mental health support from us. They set a new standard for therapeutic environments and are already making a difference to people’s lives. The new units embody what modern mental health care should be – safe, respectful and recovery-focused.”
The extension opened on 1st April 1901 and contains a series of major viaducts, including the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct
The team gathered to celebrate a topping out ceremony following steels completion in late January
Last month, Rachael Smith, People and Culture Executive Director at Sir Robert McAlpine, and Katy Maloney, Trainee Quantity Surveyor, spoke at the Empowering You Conference with Forces Employment Charity.
