South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust has today launched a public vote to support the naming of a new hospital building, due to open in 2028.
In March this year the Trust ‘broke ground’ on the £110m redevelopment of Tolworth Hospital in Kingston. This will see the delivery of a brand-new five-ward facility, providing state-of-the-art accommodation for a number of existing inpatient wards, and serving 1.2m people across South West London.
As part of the building works Tolworth will also be opened up, with new and improved landscaping, access routes, a central plaza and a café, helping to break mental health stigma and integrate the site into the community.
Tolworth’s redevelopment is a key part of the Trust’s £280m Better Communities Programme. This has already delivered the £150m redevelopment of Springfield Hospital in Wandsworth, including the new Trinity and Shaftesbury Buildings, and the creation of Springfield Village.
In the spring, the Trust launched a competition inviting naming suggestions for the new hospital building at Tolworth. Local patients, carers and NHS staff have since worked to create a shortlist of three meaningful options for South West Londoners to vote on.
The new name will give the building a distinct identity, helping establish it as a modern facility equipped to support local people for many years to come.
The final three names for the public vote are:
Tala – this connects to the rich history of the local area and is the root of the word ‘Taleorde’, which is the ancient name for Tolworth listed in the Domesday Book.
Serenity – the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled. It describes a feeling of tranquillity and quietness, often associated with a sense of inner peace and freedom from stress or disturbance.
Unity – the state of being together or joined as a whole. It refers to harmony, togetherness, and a sense of connection or solidarity among people.
Ian Garlington, Director of the Trust’s Better Communities Programme, said: “We are excited to invite our local community to help further shape the future of Tolworth Hospital by choosing the name for our new building. More than just a name, this is about creating a place that reflects the spirit, history, and hopes of the area and the people we serve.
“We are committed to delivering state-of-the-art facilities that foster healing, inclusivity, and connection. By involving patients, carers, staff, and the wider community in this process, we are reinforcing our aspirations to build not only better environments for care, but also better communities for mental healthcare.
“This redevelopment is key to breaking down stigma, promoting wellbeing, and ensuring care is accessible, welcoming, and rooted in the communities we serve.”
Voting is open until 5pm on Thursday 9 October, with the results due to be announced on Friday 10 October, World Mental Health Day.
