News

Premier and Health Minister officially open world class Mental Health Unit

Aug 22, 2023

The Premier the Honourable Roger Cook MLA, the WA Minister for Health, Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA were joined by local members and other dignitaries for the official opening of the Joondalup Health Campus (JHC) Mental Health Unit (MHU) on Monday 21 August 2023.

The new 102-bed unit sets a new standard for mental health facilities across the country and abroad.

The new service has more than double the capacity of the existing facility at the hospital and will provide services to youth (16-24) and older adult (65 plus years) for the first time.

It has four times the internal floor space of the previous unit and includes large, picturesque windows and soft furnishings in calming colour schemes.

The impressive facility also includes several interior courtyard spaces, which allow patients access to the outdoors and double as venues for recreation and therapy activities.

The unit has its own kitchen, which will serve patients in several shared dining spaces, multiple large and small lounge areas and two gymnasiums.

During his official opening speech the Premier said he was delighted to see the unit come to fruition after years of planning.

"The modern, thoughtfully designed facility will meet the requirements for the safe and secure treatment of people requiring mental health care and deliver patient areas that enhance care and wellbeing,” the Premier said.

The Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson was equally impressed by the unit and thanked Ramsay Health Care, a sentiment shared by JHC CEO Dr Amanda Ling, who also thanked JHC staff for their patience during the build.

“Ramsay Health Care has a rich history in mental health” she said. “We opened our first psychiatric hospital in Sydney in 1964 and we now operate 24 mental health units, including at Joondalup.”

The unit will have a staged opening to ensure a smooth transition with the adult service coming online first following by youth and older adult.