Tessa Quinn
Construction is currently underway on a new \$947 million, 350-bed psychiatric facility at Western State Hospital in Lakewood, Washington. The new building, which is slated to open between 2027 and 2029, will enable the state hospital to shift its focus to forensic patients—those who come through the criminal or legal system—and move other patients to community facilities. The project is part of a broader plan to improve the Western State Hospital campus, which includes the demolition of some existing buildings, the construction of a new residential cottage for the Child Study and Treatment Center, and the potential addition of a community residential treatment facility.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Construction company | Clark Construction Group |
| Location | Lakewood, Washington |
| Type of hospital | Psychiatric |
| Number of beds | 350 |
| Project cost | $947 million |
| Project completion date | Between 2027 and 2029, specifically 2028 according to some sources |
| Funding | Ballmer Group, a national organization focused on economic mobility for children and families, and City University of Seattle |
| Area | 467,000 square feet |
| Additional features | A 53,000-square-foot administrative building |
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What You'll Learn
- Construction is part of a <$947 million plan to add 350 beds to the hospital
- The new building will help the hospital transition to primarily forensic patients
- The new building will be designed to meet federal standards and regain accreditation
- The city of Lakewood permits the state hospital to have up to 857 beds
- The new hospital will promote trauma-informed care
Construction is part of a <$947 million plan to add 350 beds to the hospital
Construction is indeed underway at the Western State Hospital, with the aim to add 350 beds to the hospital. This $947 million project is slated to be completed between 2027 and 2028 and will be a welcome addition to the state's mental health system.
The new building will be a 467,000-square-foot, 350-bed forensic behavioural health hospital, providing skilled psychiatric treatment in a secure and therapeutic setting. It will be built by Clark Construction Group, who will also construct a 53,000-square-foot administrative building. The new hospital will be located in Lakewood, Washington, and will serve as the state's main psychiatric hospital, specialising in treating patients with challenging mental health conditions.
The construction is part of a plan to address the Western State Hospital's ageing infrastructure and its non-compliance with federal standards for mental health patient care. The new hospital will be designed to meet these standards, and the state plans to seek federal accreditation once the new structure is built. The project is also expected to help the hospital reclaim federal funding that was lost due to failed safety inspections in 2018.
The Western State Hospital has faced challenges in recent years, including overloaded county jails due to a lack of bed space and long wait times. The new facility aims to address these issues by increasing the net number of beds, reducing wait times, and promoting trauma-informed care. The design will also provide spaces that expand beyond the traditional hospital ward, creating a more comfortable environment for patients.
The project is funded by the Ballmer Group, a national organisation focused on economic mobility for children and families, with additional support from the City University of Seattle. The new hospital is a key part of Governor Jay Inslee's plan to improve the state's mental health system and provide better care for forensic patients.
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The new building will help the hospital transition to primarily forensic patients
Construction is indeed underway on a new building at Western State Hospital, with the project breaking ground on 17 October 2024. The new facility will add 350 beds to the Lakewood institution, which is Washington's main psychiatric hospital. The $947 million building is slated to open in 2028 and will help the hospital transition to primarily forensic patients—those who come through the criminal or legal system.
The new building will promote trauma-informed care and provide spaces that expand beyond the traditional hospital ward, mimicking parts of life outside of the hospital setting. This design is intended to help patients return to their lives after their stay. The hospital will also serve as a Forensic Centre of Excellence, focusing on providing state-of-the-art care for forensic patients in a safe and evidence-based manner. Additionally, the hospital will collaborate with local academic institutions to support research and innovation.
The transition to primarily forensic patients is part of the state's plan to remove nearly all civil patients from the state hospital. This shift will see patients moved out of the state psychiatric hospital and into community facilities. The state bought a separate facility in Tukwila, which opened up bed space for civil patients, reducing wait times and bringing the state into compliance with court orders. However, staying in compliance depends on the state's ability to meet the ongoing need for beds.
The new building is also expected to help the hospital reclaim federal funding lost due to safety inspection failures in 2018. The state plans to seek federal accreditation once the new structure is built, as the existing building would have required too many changes for accreditation. The new building is being designed to meet federal standards, and its construction will allow the hospital to provide modern and improved care to its patients.
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The new building will be designed to meet federal standards and regain accreditation
Construction is underway on a new building at Western State Hospital in Lakewood, Washington. The $947 million facility will add 350 beds to the state hospital's capacity and is slated to open between 2027 and 2029. The new building will be designed to meet federal standards and regain accreditation.
Western State Hospital is Washington's main psychiatric hospital, responsible for treating patients with some of the most challenging mental health conditions. In recent years, the hospital has faced setbacks due to failing several safety inspections, resulting in the loss of about $53 million in federal funding. The existing facilities have also been deemed aging and non-compliant with federal standards for mental health patient care. As a result, the state decided to pursue a complete reconstruction of the hospital campus.
The new facility will promote trauma-informed care and aim to provide spaces that expand beyond the traditional hospital ward, mimicking parts of life outside of the hospital setting. The state hospital's shift in focus from civil to forensic patients will be reflected in the new building's design, ensuring compliance with federal standards and improving patient care. By constructing a modern and federally accredited facility, Western State Hospital can reclaim federal funding and provide state-of-the-art care for its patients.
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The city of Lakewood permits the state hospital to have up to 857 beds
Construction is indeed underway for a new building at Western State Hospital, the main psychiatric hospital in Washington. The new facility, slated to open in 2028, will add 350 beds, bringing the total number of beds permitted by the city of Lakewood to 857.
Western State Hospital in Lakewood, Washington, is responsible for treating patients with some of the most challenging mental health conditions. The new $947 million facility will help the hospital transition to primarily accepting forensic patients—those who come through the criminal or legal system. This shift will allow other patients to be moved out of the state psychiatric hospital and into community facilities.
The new building is part of Governor Jay Inslee's plan to revive the state's mental health system, which has faced several obstacles in recent years. The state originally planned to break ground on the new facility in 2023, but delays are common with large capital projects. The design work and demolition of some old brick buildings on the hospital campus, which began earlier this year, also contributed to the delay.
The Western State Hospital Master Plan, submitted to the city of Lakewood in April 2021, includes several facility improvements to the existing campus. In addition to the new 350-bed hospital building, the plan outlines the demolition of some existing buildings on the west side of the campus, the construction of a new 18-bed residential cottage for the Child Study and Treatment Center, and the potential for a new 48-bed community residential treatment facility.
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The new hospital will promote trauma-informed care
Construction is currently underway on a new Western State Hospital building in Lakewood, Washington. The $947 million facility, set to open in 2028, will add 350 beds to the state hospital's capacity. This expansion will enable the hospital to accept primarily forensic patients—those who come through the criminal or legal system—and transfer other patients from the state psychiatric facility to community-based alternatives.
The new building will promote trauma-informed care, according to Jessica Nelson, a spokesperson for the Department of Social and Health Services. The design of the new facility will provide spaces that extend beyond the traditional hospital ward and emulate aspects of life outside the hospital setting. This approach aims to reduce the sense of confinement for both nurses and patients. For instance, hospital beds can be raised to bring the nurse and patient to the same level, minimising power differentials. Furthermore, both nurse and patient should have access to an exit so that neither feels trapped.
Trauma-informed care also emphasises the importance of trust between patients and care providers. Consistency, dependability, and transparency are vital when working with trauma survivors. Care providers should be forthright and honest, setting clear expectations and providing consistent messaging to help patients feel secure.
Additionally, trauma-informed care extends beyond patient interactions. It is essential to first create a trauma-informed workplace where staff feel safe, respected, and empowered. This starts with addressing the workforce and ensuring that nurses have the support and self-care practices necessary to provide the best patient care. Implementing systemic changes and providing nurses with the tools to practice trauma-informed self-care will ultimately enhance their ability to deliver trauma-informed care to patients.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there is. Clark Construction Group is building a new 350-bed forensic hospital on the Western State Hospital campus in Lakewood, Washington.
The new hospital will be a modern facility for forensic patients, offering state-of-the-art care in a secure, therapeutic setting. It will also serve as a Forensic Centre of Excellence, focusing on safety and evidence-based practices, while working with academic institutions to support research and innovation.
The new hospital is slated for completion between 2027 and 2029, with a projected opening date of 2028.
The construction is part of Washington state's vision to transform behavioural health services. The new hospital will address issues with the current site, including aging facilities that no longer comply with federal standards for mental health patient care. The new facility will also help reduce wait times and increase the number of beds available.
