Work starts on 24-bed mental health rehab unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Concrete is being poured on a $51m unit opposite the QEH that’s part of the state government’s push to free up emergency department beds.
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Work has started on a $51m mental health unit in Adelaide’s west that will provide “home-like” rehab in a bid to cut down on bed block.
The 24-bed unit for patients needing a longer stay is being built opposite Queen Elizabeth Hospital on an old retirement village site.
New concept images of the unit – to complement the QEH’s acute or short-term mental health services – have now been released.
The design is similar to the 16-bed crisis stabilisation centre next to the Lyell McEwin Hospital, which offers shorter stays for people experiencing distress.
Hindmarsh Constructions has started pouring the concrete slab at the QEH for the purpose-built facility, which features therapeutic environments, access to outdoor spaces and natural light.
Co-designed by health staff and former rehab patients, it includes 24 bedrooms with private ensuites, courtyards, therapy and recreation spaces and various areas to enhance rehabilitation and recovery for patients and their families.
Indoor areas comprise lounge, dining, therapy, exercise and activity spaces along with spaces to support rehabilitation.
Outside, patients can retreat for quiet time while still being supervised by staff.
It comes after several violent attacks earlier this year prompted RAH ED consultants to seek a review for a separate ED for mental health and drug affected patients.
The state government is opening more mental health beds in and outside hospitals to tackle the ambulance ramping crisis and said it was aiming at 72 new rehab beds across suburban hospitals including Modbury.
Premier Peter Malinauskas promised to “fix” ramping in the lead-up to the 2022 state election,
Both priority 1 (emergency) and priority 2 (urgent) calls have been falling in the past few months including in July when ramping soared to a record 5539 hours of ambulances with patients stuck in hospital car parks.
July’s record ramping saw ambulances queued in car parks for up to 12.5 hours, reducing their ability to swiftly respond to emergencies, while an elderly man died after waiting five hours for help.
The state government said on Tuesday having more dedicated mental health beds would help to reduce bed block in hospitals and EDs.
The QEH has gained an additional 67 beds this year including a new, larger emergency department.
A ‘Hospital Avoidance Hub’ opened in the QEH’s former emergency department last month for people with urgent, but not life-threatening, medical issues.
Central Adelaide Local Health Network boss Dr Emma McCahon said the unit would give mental health patients longer-term support.
“This will improve patient outcomes by putting a clear focus on recovery while also reducing their length of stay in an acute mental health bed,” she said.
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Originally published as Work starts on 24-bed mental health rehab unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital
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