A new Geraldton community mental health 10-bed step up/step down service has been established for the Mid-West region and delivers on a WA Government election commitment.
The service was opened by Premier Mark McGowan and Mental Health Minister Roger Cook and will provide short-term residential support and specialised treatment for people experiencing mental health issues in a supportive, community-based environment.
It will start accepting individuals from March 2021 and will provide 24/7 residential support and individualised care enabling individuals to progress their recovery close to their home, community, and individual support networks.
The new Geraldton Step Up/Step Down facility will be complemented by expanded mental health facilities as part of the $73.3 million redevelopment of Geraldton Hospital.
The redevelopment will include a new integrated mental health service, including acute psychiatric unit and a mental health short stay unit.
The WA Government has invested more than $30 million in capital funding to establish regional community mental health step up/step down services across the State.
Services are already operational in Albany, Bunbury, Joondalup and Rockingham, with Kalgoorlie, Broome and Karratha on their way.
Over the next four years, the Geraldton service will be funded with close to $10 million in State Government funding, creating local job opportunities in the Mid-West through service provider Neami National and clinical services from the WA Country Health Service.
The Geraldton service delivers on a key priority in the WA State Priorities 2020-2024 for mental health, alcohol and other drugs, boosting community services in the Mid-West.
For more information about step up/step down services, visit http://www.mhc.wa.gov.au/stepupstepdown
Source: WA Government