The Palaszczuk Government is investing almost $40 million in mental health services on the Fraser Coast.
Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said the investment would give patients in the community better facilities closer to home.
“Mental health issues affect one in five people in our community, which means we all know somebody dealing with a mental health issue,” Mr Saunders said.
“That’s why we’re investing nearly $40 million to improve mental health facilities at Maryborough Hospital, while also building a new inpatient unit at Hervey Bay Hospital.
“The Palaszczuk Government knows mental health care is as important as physical health care, and that properly funding these services will save lives.”
Mr Saunders said project and would add more beds to the local hospitals.
“The new unit at Hervey Bay Hospital will include 22 beds and accommodation for the Acute Care Team,” he said.
“Once this is complete, the Maryborough Hospital refurbishment will get underway to provide a ten bed sub-acute older persons mental health unit.
“People on the Fraser Coast deserve modern, safe facilities, and that’s exactly what we’re going to deliver here.”
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said design and tendering would begin once final project approvals were in place.
“We expect construction to begin at Hervey Bay from mid-2020, with the final project completed by the end of 2022,” Mr Miles said.
“We’re committed to getting this done, and getting it done right, so these facilities serve the needs of the Fraser Coast community in to the future.
“This project is part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $350 million investment in improving mental health right across Queensland.
“And as part of this year’s budget, we’ve also allocated almost $62 million to tackling suicide, and more than $28 million for psychosocial supports for people not covered by the NDIS.
“The Palaszczuk Government will always fund mental health services in Queensland, and never leave regional communities behind.”
