NT to get first purpose-built mental health facility with $50m funding under new National Health Reform Agreement
EXCLUSIVE: A LANDMARK purpose-built mental health facility will be constructed in the NT, with the Federal Government to pump $50 million into local services.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A LANDMARK purpose-built mental health facility will be constructed in the NT, with the Federal Government to pump $50 million into local services.
The funding comes as part of a newly signed health reform agreement between the Federal and NT Governments.
Worth more than $2 billion to the NT over five years to 2024/25, the National Health Reform Agreement includes a $50 million investment in mental health facilities and services.
Of the funds, $30 million will go to the new mental health facility, $5 million will be used to develop an adult community mental health centre somewhere in the Territory, and the remaining $15 million will cover operational costs for the adult community mental health facility for the next five years.
MORE TOP STORIES
Throb on Point sunset lounge will not go ahead at East Point
Kakadu’s official reopening date finally revealed
Gunner rules out travel bubble with other states
The investment comes as mental health providers are seeing a surge in people asking for help during the coronavirus pandemic.
The NT has held almost uninterrupted the record for the highest suicide rate per capita in Australia for the last decade.
The NHRA is a countrywide agreement which determines how much the Federal Government pumps into each jurisdiction’s public hospital sector.
The Northern Territory’s latest agreement with the Federal Government was signed amid the coronavirus pandemic and the NT’s assistance with helping the Commonwealth quarantine evacuees from Wuhan, China, and passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
Overall, the agreement is a $707 million increase compared to the previous five-year agreement.
The Federal Government has also agreed to cover half of the costs incurred by the NT public health system while responding to the coronavirus pandemic.
The total bill is not yet known.
Health Minister Natasha Fyles said the mental health of Territorians was an “absolute priority” for the Government, particularly through the pandemic.
“All Territorians deserve access to high-quality health care, no matter where they live. This will be a state-of-art, purpose-built facility that will be a first for the Territory, which will allow us to care for Territorians at home,” Ms Fyles said.
NEW OFFER: Get amazing Sennheiser earbuds (RRP: $499) with NT News subscription deal
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the funding boost would support more doctors, nurses and increased services at public hospitals.
Palmerston teen’s murderers condemned to total 67 years in prison
The family of a teenager hunted down on the streets of Palmerston yelled out ‘Enjoy the 20 years you dogs’ as his killers were sentenced over his murder.
NT Health look to ‘display’ Pride flags in Top End hospital
Doctors have criticised the NT Government for embarking on ‘culture wars around symbols’ rather than safe healthcare for all following a snap decision to remove pride flags.