A significant milestone in the £21m mental healthcare development at Ipswich Hospital was marked with a traditional topping out ceremony, but with a twist!, on 4 May at the Heath Road site.

Kier Health began work on five new mental health care wards across two sites at the hospital back in May 2009. The larger of the two constructions, covering nearly three acres of land, is located at the hospital’s Heath Road site and will feature four new wards including a psychiatric intensive care unit and a dementia assessment ward. The second development at St Clements Hospital will hold an 11-bed low-secure ward.

Key dignitaries and personnel attended the ceremony to climb the scaffolding and perform the topping out on the roof. In a break with custom, guests also signed a large whiteboard, which will be permanently encased in the building’s structure to further mark this important stage in the history of the project.

Kier director Nick Bache said: “Kier is delighted to be working with the Suffolk Mental Health Trust on modernising its facilities in Ipswich. This is an important milestone not only in the construction process, but also for everyone who has worked hard for many years to ensure these top class facilities are provided for Suffolk. We are pleased to report the project is progressing on schedule.”