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Community Fact Sheet 1 – October 2010

Expansion of Mental Health Services at


Caboolture Hospital

About Metro North Mental Health Service – Redcliffe Caboolture


The Metro North Mental Health Service for Redcliffe Caboolture (MNMH-Red Cab) provides inpatient and
community based mental health services across the age spectrum from perinatal, child and adolescent, adult
to older persons and a range of specialist services including consultation liaison, forensic, and community
mental health. The service accepts patients from the geographical areas associated with the major health
facilities of Caboolture, Redcliffe and Kilcoy hospitals. There is currently a 29-bed mental health inpatient unit
located at the Caboolture Hospital campus, a 20-bed Community Care unit located at Redcliffe, and a small
number of psycho geriatric beds within Cooinda House Nursing Home at Redcliffe.

About the Redcliffe Caboolture Inpatient services


The model of service for the MNMH–Red Cab is to manage persons through an intake process. This process
is managed by the Redcliffe Caboolture Acute Care Team (RCACT) for adults and by the Redcliffe
Caboolture Child and Youth Mental Health Service (RCCYMHS) for younger persons. Access to these
services occurs via direct contact with the mental health service or via presentations to the Emergency
Departments at the three hospitals.

At all stages of an inpatient stay, consumers are encouraged to participate in care planning. It is
acknowledged that consumers bring their own personal knowledge of what is happening to them, their
strengths, personal resources and vulnerabilities. The MNMHS-Red Cab supports a Recovery approach for
the client that is based upon collaboration, communication and partnerships across service providers.

Improving Queensland’s Mental Health System


As part of the 2007-2008 State Budget, the Queensland Government committed a record $528.8 million over
four years to improve Queensland’s Mental Health system. This unprecedented level of funding is the largest
investment in mental health in Queensland’s history.

As one of the priorities for reform outlined in the Queensland Plan for Mental Health 2007 – 2017, $121.55
million has been allocated for more than 270 new, upgraded or redeveloped acute and extended treatment
beds across Queensland.

Approximately $24.5 million has been committed to the construction of a modern, purpose-built facility on the
Caboolture Hospital campus to expand the existing Mental Health Service.

Mental health services in the Caboolture, Redcliffe and surrounding areas will be improved by the Page 1
construction of a new 20 bed Adult Acute Unit and a new 23 bed Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit.
This will increase the number of mental health beds on the Caboolture Hospital campus to 67.

Approximately 97-full time new staff will be recruited.


The New Facilities

Construction of the new facilities


The site for the new facilities is the vacant piece of land on the north-western side of the Caboolture Hospital.
This is directly opposite the main entry point to the hospital campus. The site area occupied by the Acute
Care Unit and the Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit will be approximately 9000 square metres.

The location of the site is in close proximity to the existing Acute Care Unit. The location will be linked to the
hospital by a covered walkway providing direct access from the Emergency Department and other parts of the
hospital. The close proximity also allows the three units to operate together to provide a wider range of
environments to suit the needs of the consumer.

On 27 September 2010, Badge Construction (Qld) Pty Ltd commenced work on site. Construction is
expected to be finished by October 2011. The facilities are expected to be ready to accept clients by
November 2011.

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Design Considerations

 A Therapeutic as well as safe and secure environment


 Domestic, not institutional environment
 Viewing and experiencing nature
 Culturally sensitive
 Family, visitors and carers areas

Recovery Oriented Service


Buildings and building details can have a significant effect on the people in them. A well designed building
can assist in consumer recovery and staff recruitment and retention. The design of the new mental health
facilities is aimed at providing a living environment that is as normal as possible, that maximises the
independence and privacy of consumers and that allows staff to provide care, as and when necessary.

The symbol of the healing hands combines physical design elements and the concept of a healing
environment. In the physical design, the palms represent the common hub areas of the building and the
fingers represent the bedroom wings.

Adult acute inpatient services are designed to provide short to medium term voluntary and involuntary
admission for people generally 18-64 years of age. Services are provided for those with a serious mental
illness who are experiencing an acute episode of their condition which cannot be managed appropriately in
the community.

Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Services are designed to provide a safe and structured environment for
involuntary consumers with persistent and disabling symptoms of mental illness and behavioural disturbance.

Adult Acute Care Units and Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Units are integrated with other parts of the
community and health care system through a series of partnerships and collaborations to maximise
opportunities for recovery and wellness.

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Proposed Timelines

Oct 2010 August 2011 November December January 2012


Building Recruitment Staff Orientation Building Patients
Commences Completed Accepted

Please feel free to contact the Commissioning Project team members who would be more than happy to
provide you with any additional information as it becomes available.

Contact Details: Shirley Anastasi 07 5316 1437 or Debbie Flint 07 5316 1436.

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