The Hodgman Liberal Government is proud to be delivering Tasmania’s first ever acute Adolescent Mental Health facilities, in both the North and the South.
It is reprehensible for Labor and the Greens to be spreading mistruths and frightening Tasmanians about such an important issue.
They know full well we are building these facilities right now in line with our election commitments, which includes beds fully funded in the Budget – as part of the Royal Hobart Hospital Redevelopment and the Launceston General Hospital Ward 4K upgrades. Our Government commenced both of these building projects.
To be clear - the K block facility is designed and built as a dedicated Adolescent Mental Health Unit, and the Ward 4K Redevelopment will provide a new 36-bed contemporary facility, which will include Tasmania’s first dedicated Adolescent Mental Health Unit.
The construction works on these new facilities will be completed this year, with timing around opening to be determined in consultation with clinicians and local hospital management.
This level of care has never been able to be provided before in Tasmania.
The Hodgman Liberal Government is delivering our $104 million evidence-based plan for a better mental health system with more staff and services, and the right mix of preventative, community and acute care options.
Our plan is in line with the Fifth National Mental Health Plan and the state’s Rethink Plan, both of which have been welcomed and are supported by experts and stakeholders.
For support and guidelines on reporting on suicide or mental ill-health, visit www.mindframe-media.info/for-media