More mental health beds for Armadale

9/3/06
Mental health services in Armadale will receive a boost with the opening of a new eight-bed ward and support facilities at the Armadale Health Service campus next month.
Health Minister Jim McGinty said the new $650,000 ward at the Leschen Adult Unit would increase the number of mental health beds at the campus to 41.
Mr McGinty said the upgrade was a part of a major plan to improve mental health services in Western Australia by providing an extra 108 inpatient beds and 420 community supported beds.
"The new ward at Armadale will cater for adult patients who are not yet ready for discharge but are no longer in the most acute stage of their illness," he said.
"Staff will work with these patients to help them make a successful transition back into their local community."
The Minister said the new unit would reduce the need for patients to be transferred to facilities outside the Armadale area for treatment.
"This is a huge boost to mental health services in the Armadale and Kelmscott area as it will allow the campus to treat more patients," he said.
"Patients will be able to be treated closer to home with the support of family and friends, which will improve their chances of recovery."
The 33 existing beds at the Armadale Health Service campus will continue to be used as secure adult inpatient beds and seniors' mental health inpatient beds.
The new ward at the Armadale Hospital is one of the first major capital works projects to be completed under the State Government's $173million mental health strategy.
Construction started this week on a $5.5million upgrade of Graylands Hospital, which will provide an extra 16 secure beds.
Mr McGinty said work would also begin within weeks on the $1million redevelopment of the Mount Hawthorn Hospital into a 16-bed mental health 'step-down' facility.
The Town of Vincent finally approved plans for the Hawthorn House project last night after months of stalling.
"The 40 extra mental health beds will help reduce waiting times for inpatient services and ease pressure on hospital emergency departments," Mr McGinty said.
Minister's office: 9220 5000