Redland Hospital mental health facilities upgraded in $150m plan

Newly minted Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has made her first major announcement, a $150 million project in a critical area.

Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman is set to announce a major upgrade for a new mental health facility at Redland Hospital. David Clark

South East Queensland’s mental health services are set to be boosted, with a new facility providing more than 40 beds as part of a $150m state government investment.

The state government will announce major upgrades to Redland Hospital with a new mental health facility with double the beds, and land freed up for further expansion.

The hospital’s existing mental health building, which currently has 23 beds, will be demolished and rebuilt with a further 20 beds.

Mental health care at Queensland’s emergency departments has been thrust into the spotlight recently after two men, in separate incidents, were sent to hospital for mental ill health, released, then shot dead by police the next day.

New Health Minister Shannon Fentiman this month acknowledged “much more” could be done to improve mental health treatment access, as part of a five-point plan for better healthcare.

Queensland’s new Health Minister Shannon Fentiman. Picture David Clark

Ms Fentiman said the new Redland facility would make a huge difference for patients, their health outcomes and for the frontline staff.

“Our government’s mental health payroll tax levy will support the investment in this new facility as part of our clear commitment to address the mental health and wellbeing concerns facing Queenslanders,” Ms Fentiman said.

“The returns generated by that levy will provide funding for more services, and more mental health professionals where and when they are needed.

“It will also ensure people who need assistance with mental health services can receive it earlier.”

Treasurer Cameron Dick said the construction of the new facility would support more than 400 construction jobs and build on the $9.7bn health capital investment announced in last year’s Budget.

Construction is expected to start in 2027 with an aim of being operational by late 2027, weather and construction conditions permitting.

It comes after the release of new data exposing Queensland’s ongoing ramping crisis showing half of all patients transported to hospital are stuck on a stretcher for more than 30 minutes.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urged Queenslanders to only attend emergency departments for emergencies.

“What we do know is our emergency departments saw 571,324 people. If you do not need to go to the emergency department, do not go,” Ms Palaszczuk said when asked about the ramping crisis.

“We are coming into the flu season. There is a lot of people that are sick from work that have the flu and a bit of a resurgence of Covid in South Australia.”

Originally published as Redland Hospital mental health facilities upgraded in $150m plan