First look at Modbury Hospital’s mental health rehabilitation unit

A new $44m rehabilitation unit at Modbury Hospital is set to open in 2025, providing 24 mental health beds – see how it will look.

Modbury Hospital in Adelaide’s northeast will receive 24 more mental health beds with the government investing $44m to build a new rehabilitation unit by 2025.

The state government on Sunday released a new design of the mental health unit that will support adults who need longer stays in hospital for therapeutic and rehabilitative care.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said it was an election promise the government was committed to seeing through.

“We put mental health firmly on the agenda during the election campaign with our $124 million commitment to build and open 72 new mental health rehabilitation beds at three metro hospitals including Modbury,” he said.

“It’s great to see work starting on this vital project, adding to the large investment Labor has made to Modbury Hospital over many years, including the recent $98 million redevelopment.

“These additional mental health beds – as well as our important cancer centre built at Modbury – will ensure residents in Adelaide’s northeast can get the specialist care they need closer to home.”

An artist impression of the new Modbury mental health unit, with 24 adult beds.

The new unit would replace Woodleigh House, which was closed by the former Liberal government, leaving Modbury Hospital with no adult mental health beds.

The unit forms part of the government’s $124 million commitment to build and open 72 new mental health rehabilitation beds through the establishment of 24-bed units at Modbury, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Noarlunga Hospital.

Work has also started at Modbury Hospital Cancer Centre, introducing cancer services to the hospital for the first time, with concept designs underway.

Health Minister Chris Picton said Modbury Hospital played an “important” role in the lives of people in Adelaide’s northeastern suburbs.

“The 24-bed mental health rehabilitation unit will provide a longer stay service where patients have the time and space they need for rehabilitation and therapy.

“It will reduce demand on acute mental health care services, so people are receiving the right care in the right place.

“The cancer centre is an investment that will enable patients requiring chemotherapy to have treatment closer to home.”

CEO of the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, Maree Geraghty, said it was an “exciting milestone” for the hospital and will be beneficial to people in the region.

“Modbury Hospital and our staff and community look forward to watching these new services that will provide care to our patients in their own neighbourhood,” she said.

“We look forward to seeing the plans for cancer and mental health services take shape in the months ahead as we celebrate 50 years of Modbury Hospital and its impact on the community.”