The Centenary Hospital for Women and Children in Canberra, Australia, has opened a 14-bed adolescent inpatient unit as part of its expansion project.

Eight medical beds and six beds specifically for mental health are part of the unit. 

The mental health beds will be managed by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), a division of Canberra Health Services.

They are intended to offer care for adolescents who need treatment for acute mental illness.

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said: “The ACT Government is committed to delivering person-centred healthcare. 

“A key component of the Centenary Hospital Expansion has been a new two-story building dedicated entirely to adolescent health. 

“These new purpose-built facilities have been designed specifically for young patients and their families and carers.”

The adolescent unit is equipped with a room for treatment, a negative pressure room, a lifter-equipped bariatric-rated room, a sensory area in the unit’s mental health division and interview rooms.

The unit also has a room designated for recreation and therapeutic activities, as well as a family lounge and courtyard.

It is the first unit opened by the ACT public health system for treating mental health in adolescents.

ACT Mental Health Minister Emma Davidson said: “While we are strengthening our acute mental health service offering inside our hospitals, we are equally focused on developing complementary programs for our young people – programs that enable the transition to community-based services.

“That’s one of the reasons why the Adolescent Day Program, which provides support to young people who are at risk of hospitalisation for mental health reasons, was recently relocated from Belconnen to the ground floor of this new building dedicated to adolescent health.

“I look forward to seeing these two integrated and dedicated mental health services for young people make a real difference in our community and surrounding region.”