Rockhampton’s new Child and Youth Mental Health centre officially open
Published Tuesday, 16 January, 2007 at 11:14 AM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
A new modern facility at Rockhampton Hospital will ensure better mental health care for Central Queensland children, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.
Mr Robertson officially opened the $1.6 million Child and Youth Mental Health Services centre today.
He said the centre signalled the start of a new era for the region’s mental health services.
“This new facility is home to Rockhampton’s Child and Youth Mental Health Services and the newly-funded Evolve Therapeutic Services,” Mr Robertson said.
“The centre houses a visiting child psychiatrist, a registrar, seven mental health clinicians, an indigenous mental health worker and two administration officers.
“Child and Youth Mental Health Service staff numbers have grown from three to 12 since 1996.
“An additional eight staff will be joining them with the implementation of the Evolve Service over the next 12 months.
“The Evolve Service accommodated at Rockhampton Hospital provides outreach services for the vast Central Queensland region and works very closely with other agencies that provide support and services to young people.
“This program is funded under the Blueprint for Implementing the Recommendations of the CMC Report into the Abuse of Children in Foster Care.”
Mr Robertson said the Rockhampton service would boost child and youth mental health services for the entire central Queensland community.
“While services for children and youth with serious and complex mental health problems are based in Rockhampton, much of the work of this team is done in community settings,” he said.
“Multi-disciplinary assessment and therapy services are also provided by a team which includes a visiting child psychiatrist and mental health clinicians.”
Mr Robertson said the new building was purpose-built on the Rockhampton Hospital campus to allow for improved collaboration with paediatricians and other health services.
“Over the past year the Child and Youth Mental Health Service had 190 people receiving active treatment,” he said.
“About 40 new assessments are done every month and more than 8,500 occasions of service are recorded each year.
“I am told that figure will increase significantly over the next two years.”
Mr Robertson said he was proud the Beattie Government had injected more funds into such facilities to honour its commitment to mental health and well-being of the community.
“This new facility is an important stage in the $95 million redevelopment of the Rockhampton Hospital which is expected to be completed in 2010,” he said.
“Construction of a new $7.1 million Oral Health building is already underway while work on the $21 million Emergency Department will begin later this year.
“Other building projects to be delivered over the next three years in Rockhampton include a rehabilitation building and 30-bed ward in the main hospital complex, as well as new staff accommodation on the Cambridge Street side of the campus.”
16 January, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680
Mr Robertson officially opened the $1.6 million Child and Youth Mental Health Services centre today.
He said the centre signalled the start of a new era for the region’s mental health services.
“This new facility is home to Rockhampton’s Child and Youth Mental Health Services and the newly-funded Evolve Therapeutic Services,” Mr Robertson said.
“The centre houses a visiting child psychiatrist, a registrar, seven mental health clinicians, an indigenous mental health worker and two administration officers.
“Child and Youth Mental Health Service staff numbers have grown from three to 12 since 1996.
“An additional eight staff will be joining them with the implementation of the Evolve Service over the next 12 months.
“The Evolve Service accommodated at Rockhampton Hospital provides outreach services for the vast Central Queensland region and works very closely with other agencies that provide support and services to young people.
“This program is funded under the Blueprint for Implementing the Recommendations of the CMC Report into the Abuse of Children in Foster Care.”
Mr Robertson said the Rockhampton service would boost child and youth mental health services for the entire central Queensland community.
“While services for children and youth with serious and complex mental health problems are based in Rockhampton, much of the work of this team is done in community settings,” he said.
“Multi-disciplinary assessment and therapy services are also provided by a team which includes a visiting child psychiatrist and mental health clinicians.”
Mr Robertson said the new building was purpose-built on the Rockhampton Hospital campus to allow for improved collaboration with paediatricians and other health services.
“Over the past year the Child and Youth Mental Health Service had 190 people receiving active treatment,” he said.
“About 40 new assessments are done every month and more than 8,500 occasions of service are recorded each year.
“I am told that figure will increase significantly over the next two years.”
Mr Robertson said he was proud the Beattie Government had injected more funds into such facilities to honour its commitment to mental health and well-being of the community.
“This new facility is an important stage in the $95 million redevelopment of the Rockhampton Hospital which is expected to be completed in 2010,” he said.
“Construction of a new $7.1 million Oral Health building is already underway while work on the $21 million Emergency Department will begin later this year.
“Other building projects to be delivered over the next three years in Rockhampton include a rehabilitation building and 30-bed ward in the main hospital complex, as well as new staff accommodation on the Cambridge Street side of the campus.”
16 January, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680