Work begins on a new mental health facility in Geelong

Residents in Greater Geelong will soon have better access to mental health support, with construction started on a state-of-the-art acute mental health facility at Barwon Health’s McKellar Centre.

Part of the Mental Health Beds Expansion Program, the new 16-bed acute mental health facility will increase capacity and reduce pressure on local emergency departments. People experiencing mental illness will be able to access immediate treatment in a contemporary, safe, and high-quality setting.

The facility has been designed in consultation with people with lived experience of the mental health system, including consumers, carers, clinicians and staff. Operated by Barwon Health, the facility will provide a safe, welcoming, and healing atmosphere for people on their treatment and recovery journey.

Once operational, the facility will deliver more than 5,844 days of care, equating to 355 patient admissions each year.

The project will also provide a boost the local economy by creating and sustaining around 231 construction industry jobs.

Mental health beds expansion project

The Victorian Government is urgently responding to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System with a $492 million investment to deliver 144 new acute public mental health beds.

The new beds, including 120 hospital-based beds and 24 home-based beds will be delivered across four Victorian health services:

• Northern Hospital, Epping
• Sunshine Hospital, St Albans
• The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville
• McKellar Centre, North Geelong.

The home-based beds will be delivered by Barwon Health and Orygen Youth Health.

Learn more about the Mental Health Beds Expansion Program via our dedicated program page.