The Malinauskas Labor Government is delivering its commitment for 24 more mental health beds at Modbury Hospital, with a first look at the unit’s design revealed today.

The $44 million mental health rehabilitation unit, set to open in 2025, will be combined with a 20-bed older persons mental health unit in a single build – representing a total of 44 purpose-built new mental health beds at the hospital.

The 24-bed unit will support adults who need longer stays in hospital for therapeutic and rehabilitative care, in a model that provides therapy in a specially designed living space to support daily activities.

These additional mental health beds were committed by Labor during the 2022 election campaign following the former Liberal Government’s decision to close Woodleigh House, leaving Modbury Hospital with no adult mental health beds.

This would be the new Woodleigh House, delivering 24 adult mental health beds in a brand-new building – more than doubling the mental health beds at Modbury Hospital.

These additional mental health beds form part of the Malinauskas Labor Government’s historic $124 million commitment to build and open 72 new mental health rehabilitation beds through the establishment of 24-bed units at Modbury, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Noarlunga Hospital.

Work has also commenced on the Government’s commitment to a Modbury Hospital Cancer Centre, introducing cancer services to the hospital for the first time, with concept designs underway.

The Cancer Centre will include 12 chemotherapy chairs and outpatient consulting rooms to deliver cancer services closer to home for north-eastern suburbs residents. The Centre is expected to be complete in 2025.

These updates come as the community celebrates 50 years of Modbury Hospital’s operations and commemorates the official conclusion of a major $98 million works package.

The completed upgrades, designed and funded by the former Labor Government in December 2017, include a 26-bed short stay general medical unit, a 20-bed palliative care unit, expansion of the surgical unit, and additional emergency care unit.

Quotes

Attributable to Peter Malinauskas

We put mental health firmly on the agenda during the election campaign with our $124 million commitment to build and open 72 new mental health rehabilitation beds at three metro hospitals including Modbury.

It’s great to see work starting on this vital project, adding to the large investment Labor has made to Modbury Hospital over many years, including the recent $98 million redevelopment.

These additional mental health beds – as well as our important cancer centre build at Modbury – will ensure residents in Adelaide’s north-east can get the specialist care they need closer to home.

Attributable to Chris Picton

We recognise the important role Modbury Hospital plays in the lives of this community.

While the previous Liberal Government went to the election with no plan for this vital hospital aside from the closure of Woodleigh House, we committed to delivering cancer services in the North East for the first time, and to more than doubling the mental health beds at Modbury.

We are delivering on that commitment and it’s fantastic to progress these important projects to deliver services to the community that don’t exist currently.

The 24-bed Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit will provide a longer stay service where patients have the time and space they need for rehabilitation and therapy. It will reduce demand on acute mental health care services, so people are receiving the right care in the right place.

The Cancer Centre is an investment that will enable patients requiring chemotherapy to have treatment closer to home.

Attributable to NALHN CEO Maree Geraghty

This is an exciting milestone in the history of Modbury Hospital and our staff and community look forward to watching these new services that will provide care to our patients in their own neighbourhood.

We look forward to seeing the plans for cancer and mental health services take shape in the months ahead as we celebrate 50 years of Modbury Hospital and its impact on the community.