Consumers have moved on Wednesday into Rockhampton Hospital’s new 32-bed Adult Inpatient Mental Health Unit, marking the beginning of a new era of mental health care for Central Queensland.
The move comes just days after almost 200 former consumers, staff and community members took the rare opportunity to step inside the purpose-built facility at Saturday’s community open day.
The event gave the community a first look at the new unit before consumers moved in, with overwhelmingly positive feedback about the facility, its recovery-focused design and the opportunity to see firsthand how inpatient mental health care is changing.
Central Queensland Health Chief Executive Lisa Blackler said welcoming consumers into the new unit was an incredibly significant milestone for the health service and the community.
“Today is what this project has always been about providing people experiencing acute mental illness with contemporary, compassionate care in an environment designed to support their recovery, dignity and wellbeing,” she said.
“It was also incredibly special to welcome almost 200 people through the doors on Saturday, including former consumers, staff and members of our community.
“People were genuinely grateful for the opportunity to see the facility for themselves and understand the thought and care that has gone into creating these spaces.
“The feedback was unanimously positive, and there was a real sense of pride in what has been delivered for Central Queensland.”
The new facility represents Central Queensland’s largest investment in mental health infrastructure and increases adult inpatient capacity at Rockhampton Hospital from 23 to 32 beds.
The purpose-built unit features private patient rooms, therapeutic and communal spaces and landscaped outdoor courtyards, with spaces designed to provide a welcoming, safe and supportive environment for consumers, families and staff.
The facility has also been shaped by a Design with Country approach, drawing inspiration from local geology, waterways, flora and fauna to promote healing and connection.
Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Service Nursing Director Joy Jung said Saturday’s open day was an important opportunity to bring the community into a space they would not ordinarily get to see.
“It was wonderful to see so many people come through our doors, ask questions and learn more about what contemporary inpatient mental health care looks like,” she said.
“We welcomed former consumers, current and former staff, families and community members, and the response to the new environment was incredibly positive.
“For some people, there was also a real sense of how far mental health care has come and how different this environment is from traditional perceptions of an inpatient mental health unit.
“Opening the facility to the community was about building understanding, reducing stigma and showing people the investment being made in mental health care right here in Central Queensland.”
This was true for Jacinta Hayter who wanted to take the opportunity to show her daughter the space after her own inpatient stays.
Jacinta was diagnosed with Bipolar in 2014 at the age of 29.
“It has been challenging over the years as I have been admitted when I was vulnerable in the community.
“I have stayed for up to 8 weeks which is hard because it disrupts your whole life but it is just like any part of your body being unwell and you need to take care of yourself,” she said.
She described the new facility as amazing and liked that she could picture her family visiting if she required another stay.
“It is more inviting, I love the kitchen spaces and the natural light because I find direct sunlight really important.
“Another big highlight for me is the secure private bedrooms.”
The new unit will provide 24-hour specialist inpatient care for adults aged 18 to 64 experiencing an acute episode of mental illness across Central Queensland and Central West.
Its opening is also supporting a significant workforce expansion, with more than 40 new positions being recruited across nursing, allied health, clinical and operational roles.
Ms Blackler said while the new building was an important investment, the people working inside it would ultimately make the biggest difference.
“This is much more than a new building, it is an investment in our consumers, our staff and the future of mental health care across our region,” she said.
“After seeing the community embrace the facility on Saturday, it is incredibly rewarding to now see it begin doing what it was built to do – supporting people on their journey towards recovery.”