A new Mental Health Low Dependency Unit (LDU) is to be delivered at Canberra Hospital and provide an additional 10 beds in the complete refurbishment of Ward 12B.
Minister for Mental Health, Shane Rattenbury said the Unit was great news for Canberrans who required inpatient care and would help to address the sustained increase in demand for mental health services over recent years.
“The 12B Low Dependency Unit will reduce waiting times for mental health patients and improve access to specialised and individual interventions, reducing recovery time and length of stay in hospital,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“These additional beds will also improve patient flow throughout the system, reducing pressure on acute and sub-acute inpatient beds,” he said.
“Since around 2014/15, there has been a 68 per cent growth in the number of Emergency Department presentations admitted to the Adult Mental Health Unit.”
Mr Rattenbury said the Unit would be delivered as soon as possible, with the project ready to commence immediately and completion expected by mid-2021.
“Ultimately, we expect to see improved patient outcomes through faster admission and access to the mental health services that the patient needs,” he said.
“We are also upgrading the Adult Mental Health Unit to allow for flexibility to increase the number of High Dependency (HDU) beds across the Territory to meet the increasing demand for people requiring access to high acuity services.”
Mr Rattenbury said two Safe Haven Peer Led Cafés would also be established, where people could interact with staff with lived experience in a safe environment.
