$24m youth mental health unit to open at Cairns Hospital
A dedicated adolescent mental health unit will be established at Cairns Hospital next year, the first of its kind in Far North Queensland.
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A dedicated adolescent mental health unit will be established at Cairns Hospital next year, the first of its kind in Far North Queensland.
To make room for the $24m facility, the existing adult inpatient ward on the ground floor of A-Block will be refurbished with eight beds, to allow for new age-appropriate adolescent mental health care and treatment.
The new ward will provide acute care for young people and ensure they receive timely and comprehensive care in a safe and supportive environment, Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said.
“We have listened to the community’s needs, and we are acting,” Ms Fentiman said.
“The new unit will complement existing community-based services, including the Youth Step Up Step Down residential facility, Assertive Mobile Youth Outreach Service and Evolve Therapeutic Services.
“I’m proud to be part of a government that is taking mental health care seriously and working to provide long-term, sustainable funding to mental health services.
“Cairns locals deserve access to high quality healthcare closer to home, and that includes mental healthcare for some of our most vulnerable kids.”
Earlier this week, whistleblowers called out Queensland Health after it was revealed children had been admitted to the hospital’s adult Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit.
Twenty-four additional staff will help to care for children and adolescents once the new facility begins treating patients – including doctors, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and dietitians.
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service chief executive, Leena Singh said the new health service aimed to address the growing need for mental health services in the Far North.
“It will mean we can better care for young people experiencing eating disorders, anxiety, and depressing or psychotic thoughts,” Ms Singh said.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to prioritising the mental well-being of young people in our region, and we are confident that it will have a positive impact on the overall mental health landscape of the Far North.
“It will provide greater local access to acute mental health services for young people and allow families to support their child’s progress without needing to travel out of the region.”
A dedicated service catering to the needs of young people was critical to providing quality health care, CHHHS Service Director of Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs, Wade Norrie said.
“We are confident that this new ward will make a meaningful difference in the lives of young individuals struggling with mental health issues and will provide comprehensive and compassionate care,” Mr Norrie said.
The funding announcement includes up to $19m to undertake the refurbishment of the existing space.
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Originally published as $24m youth mental health unit to open at Cairns Hospital
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