New $104 Million Mental Health Facility Officially Opened in Ipswich

• The Health Minister has officially opened Ipswich Hospital’s new $104.6 million Mental Health Acute Inpatient Service (MHAIS)
• The 64-bed facility is located on the Ipswich Hospital campus and includes soothing design elements to better support patient recovery
• The completion of the facility marks the end of the $153.8 million Stage 1  Ipswich Hospital Expansion.

Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman has officially opened the new MHAIS on the Ipswich Hospital campus.

The new facility, which opened to patients in November last year, combines state of the art facilities with thoughtful design features to support mental health rehabilitation and recovery.

With capacity for 64 beds – 16 more than the previous facility – the MHAIS will include purpose-built spaces for adult patients, older and vulnerable patients, and patients who require more intensive clinical care.

Consumers and community representatives, including First Nations Elders, were consulted throughout the design and construction phases to ensure the design was culturally and socially inclusive.

Architectural features include natural light, internal green spaces, and a soothing sensory room to encourage wellbeing and recovery.

Ping pong and chess tables, a small gymnasium, gardening, and barbecue facilities will also encourage social connections with staff and visitors.

The new Mental Health Acute Inpatient Service officially marks the end of the $153.8 million Stage 1 Ipswich Hospital Expansion.

Construction on the Stage 2 Hospital Expansion, which will deliver 200 additional beds, will begin this year.

The Miles Labor Government is committed to delivering high-quality, safe, and sustainably funded mental healthcare services close to home through the $1.64 billion Better Care Together plan and Mental Health Levy, which has previously come under attack by the LNP.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman:

“This building represents a step forward for people in Ipswich and the greater West Moreton region who have experience of mental illness in their lives or the life of a loved one.

“I am so pleased that patients in the Ipswich community will be able to recover and regain their mental wellbeing in this beautiful, state of the art facility.

“The mental health and wellbeing of Queenslanders remains one of my top priorities moving into this year.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Ipswich Jen Howard:

“This new facility will provide vulnerable members of our community with the standard of care they deserve closer to home,” Ipswich MP Jen Howard said.

“Having a facility of this quality here in Ipswich will allow family and loved ones to visit more often, which is where mental health recovery really begins.

“And when they visit, they have beautiful spaces and activities that support conversation and connection.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum:

“It’s so exciting to have this wonderful new building for Ipswich residents and to have completed Stage 1 of the $153.8 million Ipswich Hospital Expansion.

“Our $710 million Ipswich Hospital Expansion Stage 2 is on track to begin this year and will deliver 200 additional beds for the West Moreton region.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Jordan Charis Mullen:

“I’m so proud to be part of a government that is delivering the key health services Queenslanders need, right here in West Moreton. 

“Ipswich’s hard-working front-line staff do a wonderful job caring for their community, and this new facility will mean even more residents can access the care they need, closer to home.”

ENDS

Media Contact: Phoenix Campbell 0439 949 719