University Hospital Geelong emergency department mental health, alcohol and other drugs hub

The hub is located in University Hospital Geelong’s existing emergency department administration area and ambulance bay. The project has delivered:

• a five-bed mental health, alcohol and other drugs hub
• three interview rooms
• a patient lounge and beverage facilities
• a staff base, write up facilities and support functions.

Five more emergency departments hubs will be located at:

• Monash Health’s Monash Medical Centre
• Peninsula Health’s Frankston Hospital
• St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne
• The Royal Melbourne Hospital
• Western Health’s Sunshine Hospital.

The emergency department mental health, alcohol and other drugs hub project aims to achieve the following benefits:

Urgent mental healthcare where and when it’s needed

The new hub will support the growing number of people with mental health, drug and alcohol problems seeking help in emergency departments get the help they need, sooner.

Specialised care and support

Patients will be assessed and treated by an emergency department team – made up of psychiatrists, nurses and social workers – and referred to other services as required.

Contemporary mental healthcare

The project will deliver emergency facilities that support safe and modern emergency care, providing more support for Victorians living in the Barwon region who are presenting at emergency departments and need dedicated clinical care.

This project is being delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority in partnership with Barwon Health and Kane Constructions.

Consultants for the Barwon Health emergency department mental health, alcohol and other drugs hub are:

• Johnstaff Projects (project manager)
• Silver Thomas Hanley (architect)
• DCWC (quantity surveyors)
• Steve Watson & Partners (building surveyors).