Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) Government has announced the initiation of the Westmead Integrated Mental Health Complex construction, located in Western Sydney.
With an investment of A$540m ($343.88m), the development of the largest health facility in the state will help to enhance mental health services and is expected to be completed by 2027.
The complex will address the increasing demand for mental health services in the region, providing a substantial increase in the number of beds available and ensuring best-practice care.
The Westmead Integrated Mental Health Complex will feature a range of facilities, encompassing acute mental health beds for various age groups and needs, intensive care and high dependency units, a mental health assessment area, and sub and non-acute beds.
In addition, it will offer multidisciplinary ambulatory and outpatient mental health support services.
A crucial aspect of the complex is its integration with Westmead Hospital via a link bridge, promoting coordination between mental health care and other medical services, including psychiatric emergency care and the emergency department.
The relocation of existing mental health services from Cumberland Hospital West Campus to the new complex will ensure continuity of care, with no disruption to patient services until the new facility is operational.
The Minns Labour government's commitment to mental health extends beyond this project, with investments of A$8.2m to support text and webchat services, A$17.1m to enhance the Kids Helpline, and initiatives to address men's mental health and suicide prevention.
Premier Chris Minns said: “Today is a really important step forward in building a more accessible and integrated mental healthcare system for New South Wales.
“Mental health is an important and ongoing conversation. This investment is about ensuring when people need help, they can receive it, in a place that has been designed to provide the best care possible.”
Earlier this month, another milestone was reached with the completion of the Tamworth Hospital Mental Health Unit's three-storey building structure in NSW.
