BROADMOOR Hospital celebrated the completion of the structural work on the first new building of a £242million revamp.


Tom Hayhoe, chairman of the West London Mental Health NHS Trust, performed the topping-out ceremony last Thursday by installing the final beam on District House, one of five new premises.


He said: “This is a very special occasion for a unique and historic hospital.


"Since receiving government approval in December 2013, we have worked tirelessly with Kier, our construction partners, to ensure that our brand new fit-for-purpose facility will be delivered on time.


“With the importance of mental health continuing to make national headlines, today’s event is even more significant and demonstrates that we’re another step closer to providing an environment which will allow us to continue making major high secure service improvements for our patients well into the future.”


A new 234-bed hospital is set to replace the existing 150-year-old structure in 2017.


Colin Lamb, managing director of Kier, said: “This ceremony signifies a key point in a long journey for the trust.


"As we stand on the threshold of a new era for Broadmoor Hospital, it is right that we take a moment to consider how far we’ve come.


"We are proud to be working in collaboration with the trust to deliver an environment that will provide the high standards of clinical and therapeutic care expected in the 21st century.”


The trust will hold a series of public information days to update the community on the project's next step.


The next two events will take place tomorrow between 5pm and 7pm at Crowthorne Library in High Street, Crowthorne and 12pm and 2pm at Meadows Shopping Centre in Marshall Road, College Town, Sandhurst.