Mental Health Hub on Northern Beaches Greenlit

A private hospital on Sydney’s Northern Beaches can move ahead after changes to 2017 approval were greenlit.

The original development proposed by CK Property was for a six-storey private hospital, however, 1600 residents signed a petition to raise the number of beds. The new approval is for an eight-storey private hospital at 11 Tilley Lane, Frenchs Forest, that will accommodate a mix of in-patient and out-patient clinical care.

Located in the $2-billion Frenchs Forest Health Precinct, the original Tilley Lane private hospital couldn’t secure an operator because of undersized floor plates. 

Thomson Adsett principal Robert Puflett said understanding the “spirit of place” and considering its function as a sub-acute mental health hospital, patient safety and comfort was important in the design process.

“The facility will be able to provide much-needed additional mental health facilities and resources serving the Northern Beaches area and relieve some pressure on local government services and public hospital capacity,” Puflett said.

“This sub-acute mental health hospital has been designed to have a positive, dignified presence on the streetscape, helping to positively connect with the community while also reducing the stigma historically associated with the spaces of mental health care.

“Key considerations were to provide a purposefully focused site of care for mental health patients that is safe and secure for them and the staff.”

CK Property managing director Walt Coulston said there had already been patient enquiries amid growing demand.

Construction will begin mid-2024. This development is expected to create 175 jobs and 120 operational jobs.