Access to critical mental health care on the Gold Coast will soon be bolstered with work to begin this year on a new major 40-bed mental health facility, the Palaszczuk Government has announced.

Concept images available here: https://bit.ly/3VMSt7u

Palaszczuk Government Minister Meaghan Scanlon today said the tender to build the Gold Coast University Hospital’s new Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit (SMHRU) had been awarded to Queensland company Watpac Constructions as part of the government’s record Health and Hospitals Plan.

“1 in 2 Australian’s will suffer from mental illness some time in their life,” Minister Scanlon said.

“It’s why we’re building this facility, why we built the mental health Crisis Stabilisation Unit at Robina Hospital and have committed $1.6 billion to mental health care in the budget.

“The facility will be built across two floors and provide secure services to support people with severe and complex mental health disorders in their recovery.

“Importantly, it’s been developed with the help of people with lived mental health experiences and carers, including in the development of cultural guidance, delivery of services and adoption of recovery-orientated practices.

“This is one of many health projects the Palaszczuk Government has committed on the Gold Coast, with the most recent budget delivering a massive capital injection of $1.388 billion for health infrastructure on the Gold Coast which will deliver an extra 608 beds in addition to the SMHRU.

“This includes a $1.3 billion investment in the new Coomera Hospital with 404 beds, the $72 million Gold Coast University Hospital modular expansion with 70 extra beds, and Robina Hospital expansions which will create 134 new beds.”

The SMHRU will be operated in partnership with Metro South Health to meet a growing demand for secure mental health rehabilitation services across South East Queensland.

“The Palaszczuk Government has increased the operational funding for Gold Coast Health to a record $1.944 billion in 2022-23, an increase of 9.6 per cent on the previous year.

“Since coming to government, we’ve increased Gold Coast Health’s operational funding by 83 per cent compared to the LNP’s last Budget.”

Construction on the facility will begin this year and is expected to be complete in 2024, weather and construction conditions permitting.

ENDS

Media contact: Francis Dela Cruz – 0420 592 078