Darwin’s Mental Health Inpatient Unit reaches one-year construction milestone

After 365 days of construction, Darwin’s $57m mental health inpatient facility has reached a major milestone. When the project is expected to be completed.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler and Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Minister Selena Uibo announce the latest updates for construction on the Mental Health Inpatient Unit at Royal Darwin Hospital. Picture: Sierra Haigh

The foundations for a new mental health facility at Royal Darwin Hospital are almost complete a year after the construction contract was awarded to Sitzler.

The $57.7m Mental Health Inpatient Unit’s main building pad is 80 per cent complete, while the pier footings and retaining walls for the ground slab are now at 75 per cent completion.

Sitzler director Michael Sitzler said the building’s foundations ran 18m deep, and he was pleased with how the project was progressing.

Mr Sitzler said the facility was on track for completion by late 2025.

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Minister Selena Uibo said the three-storey building would house 18 inpatient beds, with the potential for patients to remain in the clinic for long-term stays.

Ms Uibo said the facility would also contain a six-bed Stabilisation Assessment and Referral Area (SARA).

It comes after this publication last year revealed as many as 20 mental health patients in the NT alone were intubated over a two-year period due to bed shortages.

Artist's impression of the new mental health facility at the Royal Darwin Hospital. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Uibo said the clinic would offer “wraparound” support for each patient.

“We’re not looking at treating everyone the same here in the NT – each individual is unique,” she said.

“We need to ensure that wraparound care is tailored to the individual, and that’s what the facility will be able to assist [with].”

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Minister Selena Uibo said a pathway would connect the Mental Health Inpatient Unit to Royal Darwin Hospital’s emergency department. Picture: Sierra Haigh

Ms Uibo said the facility’s planning was informed on the input of Territorians who experienced mental health concerns.

“Involving people with lived experience is crucial to our planning and implementation of facilities like this, so we can ensure everyone has access to appropriate mental health and suicide prevention services across the Territory,” she said.”

Chief Minister Eva Lawler said every Territorian deserved access to high quality mental health support.

“This facility will bolster capacity at Royal Darwin Hospital and provide a more therapeutic environment for mental health patients,” she said.

“Our government’s priority is to ensure mental health care is tailored to the needs of local communities so that no one is left behind in the system.”

Originally published as Darwin’s Mental Health Inpatient Unit reaches one-year construction milestone