Tuesday, 30 August 2022
Joondalup’s youth-inclusive Mental Health Unit
- New 102 bed Mental Health Unit being constructed at Joondalup Health Campus
- Specific inpatient mental health care for people aged 16 to 18 years
Emily Hamilton, Member for Joondalup, recently joined Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson at Joondalup Health Campus, where a new 102 bed Mental Health Unit (MHU) is being constructed as part of the Campus redevelopment.
For the first time, this MHU will provide inpatient mental health care specifically for younger people aged 16 to 18 years.
The new state of the art mental health building at Joondalup Health Campus will help transform and modernise mental health inpatient care in the area. The design draws on advances in other units around Australia and internationally. It comprises 77 beds (47 existing and 30 new) and 25 shelled beds for future demand.
The facility will have 10 youth beds available upon opening, which is scheduled for August 2023. A further 10 beds will be brought online as required to meet future demand.
Importantly, the unit has been specifically designed to provide a therapeutic environment including multi-purpose lounge and activity areas, outdoor spaces with exercise equipment and garden space.
A contemporary model of care that is recovery based and integrates hospital and community services is being designed in conjunction with consumers and carers.
Comments attributed to Emily Hamilton:
“Adolescent and youth mental health has been raised with me as an area of concern.
“Given there are currently no public youth inpatient mental health services in Perth’s northern corridor, I have been advocating strongly for youth mental health beds to be located in Joondalup. I am proud that when this new Mental Health Unit opens, 10 youth mental health beds will be available for people aged 16–18, with 10 additional beds for future demand.
“The new Mental Health Unit in Joondalup is set to deliver an important service for local youth mental health, something that I know is very important to the Joondalup community.”
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