A ceremony to formally kick off the building of the Tolworth Hospital redevelopment took place on Tuesday, 25 March.

Many people attended the ceremony, including the MP for Kingston and Surbiton, Ed Davey, representatives from South West London and St George's Mental Health Trust, staff, patients, residents to the Mayor of the Royal Borough, Councillor Liz Green, and the Leader of Kingston Council, Andreas Kirsch as well as other local councillors.

During the "Groundbreaking Ceremony", a number of speeches were given by members of staff, patient representatives, the South West London and St George's Mental Health Trust Chair, and Ed Davey.

During his speech, Ed Davey thanked everyone who helped make it possible for the redevelopment to take place.

He celebrated how the fantastic new facilities will offer important care for years to come for local people with mental health problems and praised the local NHS for how it has been improving mental health services locally despite the many challenges facing the NHS nationally.

The Tolworth Hospital redevelopment is a part of the South West London and St George's Mental Health Better Environments programme.

The hospital has received £110 million to create a brand new five-ward building.

As part of the redevelopment project, the Hospital will also be open to the community with a new central plaza, café, and routes through the site with the aim to break mental health stigma.

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Following the ceremony, MP for Kingston and Surbiton, Ed Davey, said: "It is so fantastic to see the new Tolworth Hospital now being built.

"It's been a long time coming but these amazing new facilities will give people with mental health illnesses the best possible surroundings for their treatment.

"Thank you to everyone who has made this NHS redevelopment possible and who have contributed to the impressive plans now being built.

"Patients, staff, nearby residents, carers and councillors have all played a part so this will be a real community hospital, open and accessible with a beautiful, calming environment and feel."