Early works have commenced on the new $91 million, 50-bed Acute Mental Health Unit (AMHU) to be built at Ipswich Hospital. The funding is part of the Queensland Government’s $146.3 million commitment for the master-planned Ipswich Health Precinct.
The project, along with the $25 million 26-bed ward at Ipswich Hospital will increase the number of beds and meet the demand in the growing Ipswich region.
The project will be built across from Ipswich Hospital, and on Chelmsford and Kallara avenues and Walker Street and has been co-designed with consumers and clinicians. It will provide best practice mental health care and assessment, recovery and rehabilitation services.
An enclosed overhead bridge will link the new facility with Ipswich Hospital for the safe movement of patients, staff and equipment.
The early works phase of the development will include clearing and levelling the site and completing the removal or relocation of existing services, as well as demolition of buildings on the site.
Member for Jordan Charis Mullen said the new building will provide a contemporary environment for mental health care.
“Not only will this make a huge difference to consumers, our hardworking frontline staff will be able to work in a modern environment and continue to deliver the best care possible,” Ms Mullen commented.
“The current Acute Mental Health Unit, which was built in the 1990s, will be demolished once the new facility is in use, creating more available land for future hospital expansions.”
This means the new state-of-the art mental health unit can be fully constructed without the need to redirect vital services.
Other components of the project include an MRI suite, which was opened at Ipswich Hospital in December 2019, a new $25 million 26-bed ward at Ipswich Hospital and ongoing negotiations for the purchase of nearby Ipswich City Council assets for future expansion.