May 29, 2023   FEATURED, PROMOTED

Best mental health housing design for Global Awards shortlisted

LOS ANGELES: The shortlist for the best seniors mental health housing design has been declared.

Over 250 designs have been considered by the awards secretariat. One of the finalists in this category is shown above.

The state government has opened tenders for construction of a new community-based mental health facility at St John’s Park.

The New Town site is earmarked for a major redevelopment as the state government looks to expand health services in southern Tasmania beyond the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the new mental health facility would be similar to the recently completed Peacock Centre in North Hobart, and will offer a 15-bed residential unit, a mental health integration hub, a safe haven and a recovery college.

It will also accommodate the main hub of the Department of Health’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

A new 12-bed Tasmanian Eating Disorders Service (TEDS) will also be co-located with these services and will include a day program area and consulting hub.

“The development of the St John’s Park facility will significantly improve the outcomes for mental health patients by ensuring they can receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time,” Mr Rockliff said.

“We know that more often than not the best place for people to receive mental health care and support is in a community setting, rather than in our hospitals, and these services will reduce presentations to our emergency departments.

“This project is a significant part of our plan to transform our mental health infrastructure and services into a contemporary, world-class system that is available to all Tasmanians.”

Construction for the mental health facility is set to begin by the end of 2023 and is due for completion in 2025.

This tender follows the Tasmanian Government’s commitment of $2 million in the 2023-24 state budget for the wider St John’s Park Health Precinct Masterplan.

There has been significant concern over mental health services in southern Tasmania following news of the closure of St Helen’s Private Hospital, and with it 31 mental health beds.

The Global Award winner will be announced in November in London. (Globals)