Canberra Health Services have a significant investment strategy for building mental health capacity. A number of projects are underway and nearly complete, or just about to commence.
Southside Community Step-Up Step-Down Facility
The new Southside Community Step-Up Step-Down (SCSUSD) mental health facility has been constructed in Gaunt Place in Garran which is right next to the Canberra Hospital campus. The construction has now been complete with commissioning underway.
The SCSUSD will provide short-term residential support for people with the aim of providing a safe alternative to hospital admission and will be run in partnership with a community organisation.
Southside Community Step-Up Step-Down Facility
Neurostimulation Therapy Suite
The ACT Government provided funding in the 2019-20 Budget to deliver a comprehensive Neurostimulation Therapy Suite (NSTS) on Canberra’s south side. The new service will provide a dedicated procedural suite located within the Adult Mental Health Unit (AMHU) on the Canberra Hospital Campus.
Neurostimulation Therapy Suite
Extended Care Unit
The ACT Government has funded the refurbishment of the 10 bed Extended Care Unit (ECU) located in Belconnen at the former Brian Hennessy Rehabilitation Centre. The Extended Care Unit is a facility from which people can transition back into the community from inpatient mental health care. The aim of the facility is to provide mental health consumers with ongoing medium-term treatment in a safe inpatient environment where they can develop the skills of daily living.
Extended Care Unit
Ward 12B Low Dependency Unit
A new Mental Health Low Dependency Unit will be delivered at Canberra Hospital, providing an additional ten beds through the complete refurbishment of Ward 12B.
Ward 12B Low Dependency Unit
Additional High Dependency beds in the Adult Mental Health Unit
A wall will be constructed to create a second High Dependency Unit (HDU) which will provide more flexibility on placing patients based on clinical needs and vulnerabilities. This project will repurpose 8 LDU beds to accommodate the 8 new HDU beds. Whilst this project reduces LDU beds, there is a new LDU being constructed in Ward 12B to meet this demand.
