Premier makes $92m pledge to upgrade Rockhampton Hospital mental health unit

More than $91 million has been pledged for a “brand new start-of-the-art” mental health unit, Queensland’s Premier has confirmed during her visit to the city. DETAILS.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk pledges $92 million to overhaul the Rockhampton Hospital mental health facility at The Courier-Mail Bush Summit in Rockhampton. Picture; Liam Kidston

Nine extra beds will be added to Rockhampton Hospital’s 23-bed mental health facility as part of a $92 million refurbishment and expansion announced by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at the Bush Summit on Thursday, August 18.

It is an $80 million boost to the government’s earlier $12 million commitment to overhaul the unit and comes the week after a former patient of the unit was charged with the murders of his wife and baby.

Ms Palaszczuk described mental health as a “big issue” across regional and remote Queensland.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said the “brand new start-of-the-art facility” would mean more beds and essential support services would be available closer to home for residents in Rockhampton and surrounding areas.

“We know regional areas are particularly vulnerable to mental health crises and by increasing our commitment to services in Rocky we can ensure this community has access to the support and services they expect and deserve,” she said.

“Since Covid, we’ve had a lot of young people come forward experiencing anxiety.”

The unit also has four high dependency unit beds.

Construction is expected to begin in mid-2024 and be completed in 2026.