Government steps up mental health support in Bundaberg

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

Hutchinson Builders won the bid for the $5.4 million project and is now on-site preparing for construction. Eleven jobs will be created during the construction phase.

Member for Bundaberg Leanne Donaldson said the SUSD unit would provide an integral component of care for adults experiencing severe and complex mental illness.

“This facility illustrates the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s commitment to providing the best healthcare for our community,” she said.

“The Step Up Step Down unit will 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 is delivering on Bundaberg’s need for 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.”

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 201718 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.”

Wide Bay Hospital and Health Board Chair Peta Jamieson said it was exciting to see the SUSD unit take shape.

“We’ve made significant progress on this important project, with the land purchase and design phase completed, so we’re looking forward to seeing the building get under way,” Ms Jamieson said.

“While the unit will be in Bundaberg, it’s important to remember this is a facility for the whole Wide Bay.

“The Step Up Step Down unit will help to fill a crucial gap in our mental health services, and will be of significant benefit to consumers and their recovery.”

Media contact:          Cath Palmer 0424 823 424