Government steps up mental health support in Gladstone

The Queensland Government has announced Paynter Dixon Queensland as the successful tenderer to construct Gladstone’s new Step Up Step Down (SUSD) adult mental health facility.

Paynter Dixon Queensland won the bid for the $5.4 million project and is now on-site preparing for construction. The project will deliver 11 jobs during the construction phase.

Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said the SUSD unit would provide inpatient mental health beds in the Port City for the first time.

“The unit will deliver an integral component of care for adults experiencing severe and complex mental illness,” he said.

“Step Up Step Down units provide short-term rehabilitation, with a recovery focus, for patients requiring sub-acute mental health services within a community setting.

“I am pleased that the Palaszczuk Labor Government has recognised that Gladstone needs mental health beds.

“They may be stepping down from a stay in the adult acute inpatient service where they require additional support to maintain their recovery or stepping up from the community when they need some additional support but don’t need acute services.

“When built, the Step Up Step Ddown facility will support adults who do not require inpatient treatment but need short-term supported accommodation to maintain their recovery and become independent.”

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said the Gladstone SUSD unit, which is due for completion in June 2018, would build on Gladstone Hospital’s existing mental health services.

“Mental health services provided from Gladstone Hospital include specialist psychiatrist consultation, assessment, liaison, referral collaborative treatment planning, and evidence-based clinical interventions,” he said.

“Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service also runs the Adult Mental Health Service Case Management Team, which aims to empower consumers to direct their own recovery journey and reducing the need for acute mental health inpatient admissions, homelessness or relapse.

“The Child and Youth Mental Health Team provides outpatient services for those who have, or are at risk of developing a severe and complex mental health problem.”

Mr Dick said the construction of three SUSD facilities in Mackay, Bundaberg and Gladstone was announced in June 2016 as part of the $180 million Significant Regional Infrastructure Projects Program launched by Deputy Premier Jackie Trad.

“These units provide access to appropriate services as close to home as possible as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $350 million plan for mental health, alcohol and drug services, Connecting care to recovery 2016–21,” he said.

“Our Government’s 2017–18 State Budget will also deliver on new youth Step Up Step Down facilities and day programs at Logan and the Gold Coast.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s 2017–18 State Budget has allocated nearly $140 million in new capital infrastructure for mental health – the biggest capital investment in a decade.

“In contrast, the Productivity Commission found when Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls was Treasurer, Queensland’s spending on mental health fell to the lowest amount in Australia on a per capita basis.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to expanding and improving mental health services.

“We have completed a total rewrite of mental health legislation for the first time in about 15 years, and last year we released the first suicide prevention strategy from a Queensland Government in many years, setting a goal to cut the suicide rate by 50 per cent within 10 years.”

CQHHS Chief Executive Steve Williamson said he was delighted with the announcement that the new facility was another step closer, and would be operational in Gladstone next year.

“This unit will fill a gap by providing a new level of help for people with mental health conditions in Gladstone and the wider Central Queensland region,” he said.

“It will add to our services already provided in Gladstone by delivering innovative mental health care that is focused on recovery, close to home and therefore family and friends.”

Media contact:          Cath Palmer 0424 823 424