Palaszczuk Government to triple the number of beds for Queensland mums experiencing mental health challenges

• Catherine’s House is a result of a partnership between the Queensland Government and the Mater
• Palaszczuk Government is investing $7 million in capital funding and $11 million annual operation funding.
• Catherine’s House will have 10 mother and baby beds, including eight public beds and two private beds.  The beds will come online over the next month.
• Public patients will also have access to the variety of day programs and parenting support at Catherine’s House.

A new centre for parents experiencing mental health conditions like anxiety and depression is set to open thanks to the support of the Palaszczuk Government.

The establishment of Catherine’s House at the Mater in South Brisbane is the result of a partnership between the Queensland Government and Mater to provide 8 public beds to Queensland families suffering acute perinatal mental health issues.

The Palaszczuk Government invested $7 million towards the transformation of the old Convent on the Mater site into Catherine’s House, with community donations to the Mater totalling $17 million, making up the rest of the building costs.

Queensland is also committing $11 million dollars in annual operational funding to support the eight public beds.

The beds will support Queensland mums who are experiencing severe perinatal mental health disorders who require admission to an inpatient unit.

Care in a specialist mother and baby mental health unit is the preferred model to support co-location and safety of the mother and baby.

Catherine’s House eight public beds add to the four already located at Lavender Mother Baby Unit at the Gold Coast University Hospital, which opened in 2017.

Like the Lavender Mother Baby Unit, Catherine’s House will support hundreds of new Queensland families each year through a range of day programs, group and individual treatments, home-visiting services, and emotional well-being support.

Funding for Catherine’s House comes from the Better Care Together Plan released by the Palaszczuk Government last year, with $122 million set aside to deliver mental health support services for new mothers.

Quotes from Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath.

“I’m proud to be part of a government taking real action on addressing mental health issues faced by new mums.

“Evidence shows mothers experiencing acute anxiety and depression are better served by having their babies with them as they receive the treatment they need.

“Catherine’s House will offer expert care in one place for the most serious cases of perinatal mental health issues.

“The facility will be accepting referrals from health professionals across the entire state.

“Hundreds of new Queensland parents will benefit from our investment with access to day programs and other support services on site.

“Last year the Palaszczuk government announced $1.645 billion worth of investment to treat mental health conditions over the next five years, from drug and alcohol addiction to suicide prevention and perinatal support for new mums.”

ENDS

Media contact: Lucy Collier - 0409 461 324