Boost for Geelong services

GEELONG people with acute mental illness will have better access to the intensive care services thanks to funding from the Andrews Labor government.

Acting Minister for Health Martin Foley and member for Geelong Christine Couzens recently announced $6.8 million for two projects to revitalise mental health services at Barwon Health.

Barwon Health will receive $3 million dollars from the Labor Government’s $200 million Regional Health Infrastructure Fund.

A further $3.8 million is being invested from the Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Facilities Renewal Fund and other programs.

Close to $3 million will go towards the remodelling of the Swanston Centre Mental Health Acute Unit at University Hospital Geelong.

A purpose-built seclusion space and a four-bed intensive care area for assessment and treatment will create a safer and more secure environment to care for the most acutely unwell patients.

The refurbishment will create 19 jobs during construction, and is expected to be completed in 2019 with Barwon Health to also receive $485,000 to upgrade the hydrotherapy pool at the McKellar Centre.

The new pool tiles, pool deck and change rooms will provide patients who require hydrotherapy with the very best facilities.

The Victorian Budget 2017/18 delivered a massive $1.67 billion to help hospitals meet demand and provide high quality care to Victorian patients, in addition to more than $509 million dollars for Barwon Health.

Mr Foley said the projects will revitalise mental health care in Geelong allowing for safer and more secure care and management of acutely unwell patients.

“We’re making sure more people in Geelong with acute mental illness have access to the treatment services they need, as soon as the need them,” he said.