The Territory Labor Government is improving acute mental health service capacity in the Top End.
A $57.69 million construction contract has been awarded to Sitzler to build Darwin Hospital’s new Mental Health Inpatient Unit, and upgrade the Central Services Sterilisation Department (CSSD) at Royal Darwin Hospital. As part of this contract there is a $30 million contribution from the Australian Government.
The Mental Health Inpatient Unit with Stabilisation Assessment and Referral Area (SARA) will bolster capacity at Royal Darwin Hospital and provide a more therapeutic environment for mental health patients.
This tender has been awarded as a Managing Contractor model which will enable the project to be fast-tracked.
Design work for the Mental Health Inpatient Unit is underway with local firm, Ashford Architects, and design for the upgrade to the CSSD is being done by Hames Sharley.
The new three-level building will house the Mental Health Inpatient Unit with 18 inpatient beds, support services and a six bed SARA facility. Connection with the Emergency Department is via an elevated, enclosed walkway across Nightingale Road.
The SARA facility will provide short term care in a therapeutic environment for mental health clients who present to the Emergency Department and who may benefit from a detailed assessment, management plan and referral to other providers for ongoing mental health care.
The upgraded CSSD facilities will meet revised Australian Standards for sterilising reusable medical devices within required timeframes and is funded by the NTG. Planning is under way for CSSD upgrades at Gove, Alice Springs and Katherine Hospitals.
Construction will begin in the first half of2023, with an anticipated completion date of mid-2024.
Quotes from the Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Lauren Moss:
“Territorians deserve access to the best possible mental health services and our government has taken decisive action to deliver.
“This new unit will increase capacity for mental health services at Royal Darwin Hospital and will complement the work we have already done to deliver more sub-acute beds and suicide prevention services.
“No other Government has done more for mental health, and involving people with lived experience has been an important component in our planning and implementation.
“We are planning for the future to ensure Territorians have access to appropriate mental health and suicide prevention services across the Territory.
Northern Territory Government
