Coroner releases findings into Barrett Centre closure

The Palaszczuk Government has reaffirmed its commitment to adolescent mental health today as the coroner handed down their final report into the Barrett Centre closure by the Newman Government in 2014.

Health Minister Steven Miles said the Government would continue to invest in services for young Queenslanders.

“Any death of a young person is a tragedy and we continue to offer our condolences to the families of the three young people who were former patients of the Barrett Adolescent Centre.”

“We are building a new 12-bed State-wide Adolescent Extended Treatment Centre to provide mental health and education services to young people with severe, complex and persistent mental illness.

“The centre is under construction now and will be open early next year.

“Mental health is a priority for this government and I never want to see such a tragedy happen again."

Mr Miles said the new $27 million centre was co-designed by former residents of the Barrett centre to provide the best possible space for treatment and recovery.

“The new centre was co-designed by consumers and carers including families associated with the Barrett Adolescent Centre,” he said.

“We are also providing adolescent mental health services right across the state.

“Since 2015, we have established three new youth Step-Up Step-Down services in Cairns, Caboolture and Logan and five Youth Residential Rehabilitation services in Townsville, Cairns, and Brisbane.

“We have also refurbished two adolescent day treatment programs in Logan and the Gold Coast and expanded mobile youth outreach services to provide specialised mental health care and support to young people in their home or community.

“Last year alone more than $49 million was allocated to child and youth mental health initiatives as part of the Youth Mental Health Program.”

Barrett Adolescent Centre Commission of Inquiry report was handed down in 2016. The Palaszczuk Government accepted all six recommendations in principle.

The Government will now consider the findings of the coroner.

Coroner's findings:

https://www.courts.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/624237/cif-bac-20190830-web-version.pdf

ENDS

Media contact: Katharine Wright 0428 957 903