Kimmeridge Court is a specialist unit for those needing treatment for an eating disorder. The only inpatient service in Dorset, this new facility has brought treatment closer to home for patients. Keeping recovery at its heart, Kimmeridge Court combines a beautiful natural environment with modern solutions to give patients an ideal place to get well.
10
ensuite rooms
BREEAM
excellent
Bringing vital care close to our communities
Eating Disorder Charity BEAT estimates that 1.25million people in the United Kingdom have an eating disorder1 with the number of hospital admissions increasing by 84% between 2017-20222. In Dorset, a specialist eating disorder unit has been delivered by Kier Construction Southern to increase treatment options available to local people. Kimmeridge Court is the first of its kind in the Dorset area, providing the option for inpatient treatment to up to 10 people at a time.
A therapeutic environment
Located less than a mile from the beautiful Dorset Coastline and nestled beneath a canopy of mature trees, the creation of Kimmeridge Court has resulted in a tranquil setting for recovery. The size and positioning of the unit was designed to have a low impact on the surrounding trees and implemented an innovative foundation design to lift the building above the web of tree roots. This has resulted in the modern facilities being enveloped in a peaceful, forest environment with the expansive windows bringing patients and staff closer to nature.
The team’s fabric first approach has meant that the completed building places less demand on the heating and cooling system, ultimately conserving energy usage and increasing sustainability. The building has been designed to meet a BREEAM rating of excellent to ensure this facility can treat patients for many years to come.
Bespoke design
Quality treatment for patients with eating disorders requires bespoke spaces. Kimmeridge Court has delivered exemplary features, such as an Activities of Daily Life (ADL) kitchen to help patients rebuild their relationship with food. There are also large social spaces, alongside private areas for staff and patients to engage with more focussed activities. The interconnected design gives staff the freedom to change treatment space to suit patients’ needs.
The partnership between the Trust and Kier was vital to deliver a product to best serve patients. That’s why service users were consulted on many aspects of the building, from privacy to interior design. Alongside this, the team consistently achieved high scores on their Considerate Constructor Scheme assessments demonstrating the care the team took to the wider community and patients in staff in neighbouring wards.
The project was Highly Commended at the European Healthcare Design Awards 2024, in the category of Medical Design and was shortlisted for Project of the Year (under £20m) by the Construction News Awards.
Kier continue their partnership with the Trust and are currently on site delivering two mental health projects for the Trust. These are a new high intensity ward for children and adolescents and a replacement adult Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit.