Site announced for new $70 million Cairns Mental Health building
20 June 2019
A new $70 million multi-storey
mental health unit will be built at
Cairns Hospital to provide better
care for patients.
Today, Health Minister Steven Miles confirmed the new
facility would be
located on the Cairns Hospital
campus.
“Mental health issues affect one in five people in our community, which
means we all know somebody who is dealing with a mental health issue,”
Minister Miles said.
“The new mental health facility will have more capacity to treat more
patients and will provide a better environment for to help the recovery
of mental health patients.”
Member for Cairns Michael Healy said he was pleased to see progress was
under way to deliver the new building at the Cairns Hospital.
“The Palaszczuk Government has committed $70 million for this new Cairns
Mental Health building, because we know it is much needed,” Mr Healy
said.
“The new mental health building will replace ageing infrastructure with
a modern, safe facility.”
Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said the existing mental health
ward next to Kerwin Street will be demolished to make way for the new
building.
“Work has already begun on a $7.24 million fit-out of a Mental Health
Unit in a vacant space in Block D at the Cairns Hospital,” Mr Crawford
said.
Speaker of the Queensland Parliament and Member for Mulgrave Curtis said
the design of the new facilities was really important.
“In 2011 I was appointed as Queensland’s first stand-alone Minister for
Mental Health and I have taken a very keen interest in government
initiatives that support the emotional well-being of people in the Far
North,” he said.
“The whole building will be designed to help people recover from mental
illness. It will include a modern culturally appropriate design, family
friendly spaces and the latest
technology.
“We want to make sure we get the planning for the new building right, to
deliver the best care possible for patients and an ideal
environment for clinicians to continue the fantastic care they
already provide.”
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said the facility would service the whole
region.
“The Mental Health Facility will provide the Cairns and Far North
Queensland community access to contemporary mental health,” she said.
“Staff, consumers and carers have already started meeting with the
architects to help design the new building to make sure it will meet
their needs into the future.”
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Clare
Douglas said the Block D upgrades would enable the relocation of
patients prior to demolition of the existing facility.
“The Block D ward in the Cairns Hospital will include 10 psychiatric
intensive care beds, 10 acute adult mental health beds, treatment rooms,
sensory and quiet rooms, as well as family, lounge and dining areas,”
she said.
Mental Health Service Director, Marie Kelly said the interim mental
health unit in Block D has been specifically designed to meet the needs
of mental health patients including therapeutic, safe spaces to provide
treatment and care.
“All aspects within the environment have been considered including
lighting, floor coverings, therapy and sensory modulation spaces,” she
said.
Construction of the new facility at the Cairns Hospital is expected to
begin in the 2020/21 financial year.
--ENDS--
Source: Queensland Government - www.statements.qld.gov.au
Contact: Media contact: Katharine Wright – 0428 957 903
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