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September 2009 Mental health boost for Maroondah Hospital
The Government has boosted access to vital mental health services in
Melbourne’s east with the opening of a new 25-bed inpatient ward at Maroondah
Hospital.
Mental Health Minister Lisa Neville officially opened stage two of the
hospital’s new $24.5 million 50-bed adult mental health inpatient unit.
‘We know providing residential support and clinical treatment to people
with a mental illness as early as possible can help prevent a lifetime of
chronic illness.
‘This new facility will improve access to mental health services for
families in the Eastern Metropolitan Region.’
Ms Neville said the inpatient unit was funded as part of a $38.5 million
Government boost to strengthen Eastern Health’s mental health
services—with the new unit to replace an outdated 30-bed unit in the ‘This new unit has purpose-built modern facilities with better amenity
and layout for patients and staff including single bedrooms and en-suites.
‘The wards also include design features which enhance visibility of
patient areas, provide flexible therapeutic meeting areas and provide a safer
environment, reducing the risk for self-harm.’
Ms Neville said a female-only area would address the needs of female
clients with a focus on women having an increased sense of personal safety and
reducing their vulnerability when admitted to an acute psychiatric inpatient
unit.
‘It is the first purpose-built unit to incorporate modern
gender-sensitive practice in its design.’
Ms Neville said the boost builds on work already done at Eastern Health—including stage one of the inpatient unit, comprising of 25 beds and opened last year, the relocation of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service adolescent inpatient unit from Maroondah Hospital to a new, purpose-built facility in Box Hill and the development of the 20-bed Community Care Unit at Camberwell. |
