Dayton Children's in the US has marked a significant milestone in the construction of its new behavioural health building with the conclusion of a major construction phase.

The hospital started the countdown to completion of the building works with a 'topping off' ceremony held at its main campus.

Anticipated to open next year, the facility spans 113,000ft² across three stories.

The building will centralise acute services, providing a continuum of care from crisis to inpatient to outpatient services in a single location.

Furthermore, the new space is designed to meet the increasing demand for children’s mental health services, offering a comprehensive suite of services for families in crisis.

Over the past year, the hospital has experienced a surge in psychiatry visits, with 500 more in January 2024 compared to the same month in the previous year.

The increase in the intensity of mental health needs among children has led to a greater need for staff and has raised concerns about staff burnout and injury.

The current inpatient unit had to block off rooms for safety and privacy, reducing availability for other patients.

The new building aims to address these challenges by improving the care environment.

Danis Construction is employing innovative techniques to expedite the construction process, including the use of a 10,000ftft² Industrialized Construction Center (ICC).

This facility allows multiple construction processes to occur simultaneously, protected from the weather.

In January 2024, the final beam, bearing traditional symbols of good luck, was placed atop the new building.

Dayton Children's associate medical chief for mental and behavioural health Kelly Blankenship said: "This new space will give us more resources to be nimble as our children's needs change.

“We will have specialised spaces that allow kids with high acuity a private area without blocking beds needed for other children.”

Dayton Children’s broke ground on a new behavioural health building in May last year.