Michaela Meade
Northern suburbs residents will have improved access to mental health support, with Northern Hospital set to receive new mental health beds.
The state government announced on Thursday that it would deliver 144 mental health beds across Victoria, in order to deliver on a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.
The Royal Commission recommended 135 more beds for health services in the state.
In November 2020, the state government announced $492 million in funding for additional beds in response to the Royal Commission’s interim report, to be located in Epping, Geelong, Sunshine and Melbourne.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Mental Health Minister James Merlino announced on Thursday the beds would be located at Northern Hospital in Epping, Sunshine Hospital, Barwon Health in Geelong, Hospital in the Home, and the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
The total 144 beds will support 2500 more Victorians every year, according to a statement from the Victorian government.
Mr Andrews said it was important for the government to deliver on the Royal Commission’s recommendations quickly.
“We know our mental health system needs to grow to care for every Victorian who needs it,” Mr Andrews said.
“That’s why we’re not wasting a moment in delivering the Royal Commission’s recommendations – because lives depend on it.”
Northern Metropolitan MP Sheena Watt said the mental health system needed to be expanded, and that the additional beds would mean people in Melbourne would get “the support they need, close to home”.
The government will also invest in junior doctors undertaking psychiatry rotations, to provide “vital” training in the discipline.
