Victorians will soon have access to better mental health, drug and alcohol support, close to home, with 57 health services across the state earmarked for facility upgrades.
Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley visited Latrobe Regional Hospital today to announce the latest recipients of the Andrews Labor Government’s Facilities Renewal Grants.
The funding will be used to remodel or refurbish existing facilities for public mental health clinical services, alcohol and drug services and mental health community support services - to help improve the quality of care delivered to Victorians in need.
The upgrades will ensure greater comfort for patients accessing the facilities and enable clinicians to deliver safer, more efficient care.
Latrobe Regional Hospital has been allocated $500,000 from the fund for the redesign of their Flynn Adult Inpatient Unit. The refurbishment will expand the staff area to improve visibility of patients, as well as safety upgrades to improve the environment for staff, consumers, carers and visitors to the unit.
In the Victorian Budget 2018-19, the Labor Government invested a record $705 million in mental health support, extra regional rehabilitation facilities and new emergency department crisis hubs to help Victorians experiencing mental illness or addiction issues.
Through the Labor Government’s Ice Action Plan and Drug Rehabilitation Plan, we are more than double the number of residential rehabilitation beds in Victoria. The Budget also includes $259.9 million in alcohol and drug treatment services – which is an increase of more than 57% since we came to government.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley
“By modernising our public mental health and alcohol and drug facilities, we’re making sure Victorians dealing with addiction and mental health problems are cared for in a safe and comfortable environment.”
“Whether these grants will give our service providers the chance to deliver the best possible treatment and support by ensuring people can recover in the best possible environment.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“I’m really proud that Latrobe’s services will be upgraded so patients can receive better treatment, close to home- and our amazing mental health workforce will have a safer, more modern place to provide care.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020