The Territory Labor Government has awarded a $1.8 million design tender to build an 18-bed inpatient unit and Stabilisation and Referral Area in the Top End.
Local business Ashford Group Pty Limited was awarded the tender for design work which is expected to be completed by early-2022.
The $30 million inpatient unit and $7.5 million Stabilisation Referral Area will bolster capacity at Royal Darwin Hospital and provide a more therapeutic environment for mental health patients.
The Territory Labor Government is taking significant action to improve mental health services in the Territory.
Seven acute beds and seven sub-acute beds are scheduled to come online by December this year.
Upgrades to the Cowdy Ward, Joan Ridley Unit and the Youth Inpatient Program are also underway and are all expected to be complete by March next year.
In addition, the Territory Government has delivered more prevention services including the co-responder model and a new Adult Mental Health Community Centre in partnership with NT PHN.
Quotes from Health Minister Natasha Fyles:
“Territorians deserve access to the best possible mental health services and our Government has taken decisive action to deliver.
“This mental health inpatient 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 prevention services.
“No other Government has done more for mental health and this is an absolute priority for Labor.”
