Townsville Hospital’s mental health unit gets $10.4m upgrade

The mental health inpatient unit at Townsville hospital has been given a much-needed $10.4m facelift, including a new sensory room, high clinical needs wing and family room.

The mental health inpatient unit at Townsville hospital has been given a much-needed $10.4m facelift, including a new sensory room, high clinical needs wing and family room.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said a $10.4 million redevelopment at Townsville University Hospital’s adult acute mental health inpatient unit would bring it in line with contemporary mental health units across the country.

It comes after Townsville mum Lisa Ganter laid bare the devastating holes in the local mental health system when her 19-year-old son Kai O’Donoghue took his life while staying in the hospital’s mental health inpatient unit last July.

“This project includes the complete redevelopment of the high-dependency unit (HDU), which cares for the most unwell community members and the development of an adjoining therapeutic wing to support group recovery sessions for inpatients who require less support,” Minister D’Ath said.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath has unveiled the first look at the $10.4 million redevelopment at Townsville hospital's acute mental health facility. Pictures: Supplied

“The new design is evidence-based and co-designed with input from community members who have lived experience of mental illness, and their involvement ensures the facility is fit for purpose.

“This lived experience group helped guide the architecture and fit-out to ensure the unit promoted calm to help inpatients recover.”

Dr Roanna Byrnes, who is the director of the adult mental health service at Townsville hospital, said the positive impact of the new space was already obvious.

“Some of our mental health consumers played an active role in planning this redevelopment, and their input has helped us create a space to support others on their recovery journey,” she said.

“Consumers in the new spaces are already reaping the benefits of this project.

“Our facility now has a beautiful sensory room, a high clinical needs wing, a wheelchair-accessible bedroom and a new family room, which is my favourite addition to the facility.”

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said mental illness was a complex issue which was why this facility was so important.

“Sadly, as a former paramedic, I’ve seen first-hand how mental illness impacts people in the wider community,” he said.

“That’s why it’s great to see this facility has been designed with input from people who have used this facility and know what patients need.”

Originally published as Townsville Hospital’s mental health unit gets $10.4m upgrade