Eastern Metropolitan Region cancer and chronically ill patients will receive better mental health support thanks to $445,546 funding to strengthen its consultant liaison psychiatric service, which provides mental health care for patients admitted to general hospital wards.
Many patients need support while in hospital dealing with the impact of their illnesses or injuries, especially patients with cancer, terminal illness, chronic illness or pain.
Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley made the announcement this morning at Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Minister Foley also announced $5.47 million to improve 21 mental health and alcohol and other drug rehabilitation facilities across Melbourne.
- Eastern Health received $220,774 to upgrade three adult inpatient units with furniture and equipment in Mental Health Programs at Upton House Adult Mental Health Inpatient Unit, Box Hill Maroondah Adult Mental Health Inpatient Unit 1, Ringwood East Maroondah Adult Mental
- Eastern Health-Turning Point will receive $100,000 to construct a therapeutic group/culturally safe room and native garden for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and cultural and linguistically diverse clients at the Wellington House Withdrawal Facility.
- Eastern Access Community Health received $55,274 for the installation of external security lighting in the carpark and between buildings at their Warrandyte Rd facility.
- Eastern Access Community Health received $223,675 to refurbish a garage into an accessible, comfortable space that allows the delivery of group based-services and unstructured recreation at their Youth Residential Rehabilitation Unit, Wantirna South
- Anglicare received 11,400 for new furniture and to paint their existing counselling rooms.
The Facilities Renewal Grants will help existing mental health and alcohol and other drug services to improve their facilities for consumers, carers, visitors and staff.
They enable services to tackle critical minor infrastructure and capital works, to ensure they meet contemporary standards regarding physical amenity, space and safety.
Examples of projects funded in the grants include installing a duress alarm system at Normanby House at St George’s Hospital, upgrading air-conditioning at Caulfield Hospital, refurbishing bathrooms in the Community Care Unit at Frankston Hospital, and upgrading the treatment room at Broadmeadows Acute Mental Health Aged Care Unit.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley
“Our consultant liaison services will mean patients receiving treatment for a major illness or injury can receive mental health support while they’re in hospital”
“To provide the best mental health services, you need safe, modern facilities. That’s why we invested to build and upgrade mental health and alcohol and other drug facilities.”
Quote attributable to the Member for Eastern metropolitan Region, Shaun Leane
“This additional support will mean the Knox community can access safe and modern facilities and services – no matter when they need it most.”
“This will mean that even if you aren’t physically well, you have the chance to stay on top of your mental health.”