The Palaszczuk Government has allocated a budget of $8.7 million for 2017-2018 for the construction of the new Adolescent Extended Treatment Facility at The Prince Charles Hospital in Chermside. The total proposed investment for the facility construction is $68.9 million.
New Hope After the Barrett Closure
The construction of the Adolescent Extended Facility was an alternative care plan after the closure of the Barrett Adolescent Centre three years ago. Barrett was the only long-term residential unit for young people with severe mental illness in Queensland, but the former Health Minister Lawrence Springborg closed this institution in January 2014.
Criticisms rose upon the closure of the centre. Commissioner Margaret Wilson stated that there were no analysis of the needs of the young patients and no consultation with specialists before the closure.
(Photo credit: www.health.qld.gov.au)
As part of the solution, a new facility will be constructed under the Palaszczuk Government by the recommendation of the Commission of Inquiry. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that the facility will be constructed in 2017 and will meet the community’s needs.
“We will now work with consumers and families, including those directly associated with the former Barrett Adolescent Centre to ensure we are delivering care that meets the community’s current and future needs. Over the coming months, we will work closely with experts, families and consumers to define the specific design of the facility. The LNP Government was told by patients, by families, by experts that it needed to build this facility, but they did not listen. We are listening and we are delivering for young Queenslanders who need this facility,” Ms. Palaszczuk said.
The Prince Charles Hospital
The Prince Charles Hospital is a major teaching hospital in Chermside and around the North Brisbane area with emphasis in cardiac, respiratory, and in-patient psychiatric unit.
It was first opened as “Brisbane Chest Hospital” in 1954 as a treatment centre for tuberculosis. Later in 1961, it was renamed as “The Chermside Hospital” due to its expanding expertise in treating other ailments.
To honour the visitation of His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, in Brisbane, the hospital was renamed as “The Prince Charles Hospital” in 1974.
In 2007, the hospital underwent a major upgrade, followed by the introduction of general medical and general surgical services. State-of-the-art facilities continuously developed and constructed in its premises, including this year’s Adolescent Extended Treatment Facility.
The Prince Charles Hospital — Mental Health Care Provider
The Prince Charles Hospital has a reputation for providing integrated community and in-patient services that support the recovery of people with mental illness. Their facilities and services focuses on the provision of recovery and a consumer-centered approach through acute and extended care and community rehabilitations.
“We promised to implement the recommendation of the Commission of Inquiry regarding a new facility, and the campus of Prince Charles Hospital is the ideal location, near schools, transport and recreation. The Prince Charles Hospital is one of Queensland’s best, with a strong research culture and long history of providing mental health services,” Ms. Palaszczuk said.
“This new facility is essential, but it’s just one part of a broader plan to reform and improve services for young people. We are allocating 25 per cent of our $350 million five year plan for mental health, alcohol and drug services, Connecting Care to Recovery towards new services for children and young people,” Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said.
The new facility will add to Palaszczuk Government’s vision for health, “My health, Queensland’s Future: Advancing Health 2026” that is committed in making Queensland the healthiest place in the world by 2026.