Upgrading infrastructure at Victoria’s mental healthcare facilities

In response to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, we’re improving safety for Victorians receiving treatment and care for mental illness through infrastructure upgrades across the state.

Seventeen health services will share in $9.3 million in funding to improve safety for patients in adult acute mental health inpatient units.

The package will deliver 35 improvement projects across 25 facilities that collectively operate 829 mental health beds.

This includes $7.1 million shared by nine metropolitan health services and $2.2 million for eight regional health services.

Funding will be used to:

• install patient-controlled locks on bedroom doors
• upgrade the security of women’s only areas
• increase the number of nurse call systems
• improve privacy
• plan dedicated family lounge areas, where possible.

These vital upgrades are part of a $200 million funding boost for health services across metropolitan and regional Victoria to help meet the demand for support services as more Victorians reach out for help with stress, isolation and uncertainty during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Upgrades are expected to be completed in the next six to 12 months.