Mental health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) services will share in $20 million in grants from the latest round of the Mental Health and AOD Capital Renewal Fund.
The fund responds directly to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System. It aims to address physical safety and wellbeing risks in Victoria’s mental health and AOD facilities.
The latest round of funding will support 33 projects delivering minor infrastructure works including remodelling, refurbishment, accessibility and security upgrades.
The works will improve safety for consumers, carers and staff.
Some of the projects funded include:
- $979,000 to EACH to upgrade the Beaver Street facility including soundproofed consulting rooms, improved staff amenities and important safety upgrades
- $354,000 to Latrobe Regional Health for critical security upgrades
- $1 million to Aboriginal Community Elders Services to refurbish an existing building into a dedicated social and emotional wellbeing centre for Elders
- $442,000 to Mildura Base Public Hospital to upgrade its Area Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
Successful applicants
Aboriginal Community Elders Services Incorporated
- convert and extend an existing small building into the social and emotional wellbeing centre for Elders.
Alfred Health (Alfred Hospital)
- refurbish courtyards in the Mental Health Aged Inpatient Unit to address ligature risks, uneven pavers and provide designated areas for therapeutic and sensory elements.
Austin Health (Austin Hospital)
- refurbishment of patient bedrooms and ensuites to mitigate known ligature risks at the Secured Extended Care Unit (SECU).
Ballarat Community Health
- replacement of 150m2 roof to fix water leakage. This project will also improve flashings and weather proofing to ensure no further water damage occurs due to roof degradation.
Bass Coast Health
- this project will upgrade the security infrastructure of the old Phillip Island Health Hub building to integrate with the new facility, creating a single connected system.
- works include the installation of new security and duress systems with full backup and connectivity, along with provision of Spectra telephones to support AOD service workers.
Bendigo Community Health Services
- upgrade entry, waiting and consultation areas
- correction of non-compliant consultation rooms and corridors to meet disability access requirements
- enhanced security features including automated sliding doors, secure dosing area, and duress alarms
- expansion from two to three consulting rooms plus a new dedicated wellbeing room for staff and peer support
Better Health Network
- refurbishment of 22-28 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, creating an inviting, welcoming and culturally safe space including consulting, family rooms, accessible bathroom, and a spacious group room.
Colac Area Health
- turn the tearoom into two consulting rooms and upgrade four existing consultation rooms. This project also includes the installation of telehealth systems, stand-up desks, Aboriginal artwork and new furniture.
Dhauwurd Wurrung Elderly and Community Health Service
- enhance the safety and security of the facility for both staff and mental health clients by installing CCTV, swipe access systems, security doors, security desk, creating calming outdoor space for appointments with mental health patients.
EACH
- this project will upgrade the Beaver Street mental health facility, including soundproofed consulting rooms, enhanced staff amenities, and improved safety measures. It will also provide disability-accessible facilities, featuring compliant toilets and automatic doors.
Eastern Health
- to improve and enhance the infrastructure of Chandler Adult Community Mental Health Clinic. The scope of work includes:
- installation of a duress alarm system upgrade of (HVAC) Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning system
- interior painting and repairs to all walls, ceilings, floors, skirting and architraves
- carpet replacement to all staff areas and main corridor .
Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
- the project will renovate a deteriorating building at the main site, adding office spaces, kitchen facilities, security and technology upgrades, disability toilets, and a culturally appropriate outdoor area to enhance service delivery.
Goulburn Valley Health
- this project focuses on upgrading non-compliant doors with specialised anti-ligature hardware that is alarmed to enhance patient safety and security. General door security and other environmental upgrades is also included within this project scope.
Grampians Community Health
- the project will modify an aging office environment to create a safe, welcoming, and homely space.
Grampians Health
- remediation and/or removal of anti-ligature items and design and planning for a new High Dependency Unit/Intensive Care Area in the Steel Houghton Unit.
IPC Health
- upgrade to create safe and secure, separate access to mental health tenancies including new entry, reception and waiting room and improved client and staff amenities throughout wing, supported by facility maintenance and security renewal works.
Kirrae Health Service Inc.
- enclosing and soundproofing two counselling rooms, installing a new reception desk, and upgrading the staff kitchen and communal area to better accommodate our expanding team and enhance overall service delivery.
Latrobe Regional Health
- provide a security fence, CCTV, duress alarms and improved electronic door locks/controls to improve safety and amenity for patients and staff. Also, minor modifications to the building to enhance direct patient treatment.
Launch Housing Limited
- installation of air conditioning in client rooms and communal spaces and the creation of a wellbeing hub.
Mildura Base Public Hospital
- renewal of 25-year-old infrastructure (physical spaces, fittings, furniture and equipment) within Mildura Base Public Hospital’s Area Mental Health & Wellbeing Services to create welcoming and safe environment.
Neami National
- improve safety, accessibility and recovery-focused care across two Youth Residential Services through targeted upgrades: fencing, kitchen refurbishments, climate control and therapeutic outdoor spaces, ensuring a safe, less restrictive environment.
Nexus Primary Health
- upgrade the current CCTV recorder at Wallan and Kinglake sites.
Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
- renovate consultation rooms, waiting area, and office space to improve safety for consumers and staff.
Royal Children's Hospital
- this project aims to improve the accessibility, safety, engagement, and therapeutic delivery of the Travancore Mental Health site by making adjustments to the environment to ensure children and families feel satisfied with their therapeutic care.
South West Healthcare
- provide contemporary and safe clinical consult areas whilst also increasing capacity through reconfiguration of existing space. Additionally, funding will refurbish deteriorated and overcrowded staff work areas to improve service provision and manage growth.
St Vincent's Hospital
- reduce ligature risk through the refurbishment and replacement of internal doors and door-fixtures in the Adult and Older Adult Acute Inpatient Units and the community Prevention and Recovery Care service.
St Vincent's Hospital
- refurbishment of seven client bathrooms in the DePaul House Alcohol and Other Drug (12 bed) Residential Detox Unit at 9 Brunswick Street Fitzroy.
Uniting Vic. Tas
- Lifeline Melbourne Crisis Support Phone Room Privacy Refurbishment. Scope of work includes:
- installation of acoustic materials to improve sound proofing and privacy
- changes to joinery to create function, open workspaces
- removal of full-height joinery and current workstations.
- improved private, comfortable areas for debrief supervision
Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
- add sound proofing to client meeting rooms, remove wall in office to add more desks for staff, updating furniture in AOD waiting area to be fit for purpose and purchase of headsets for AOD staff.
Wellways
- the Kuna Bim Youth Residential Rehabilitation (YRR) renewal project. This project will enhance the living environment through painting, toilet upgrades, and sun-protection across residential units; improve safety and security with new front and security doors and a property sunshade; and create better working conditions by soundproofing the office in Unit 5.
Windana Drug and Alcohol Recovery
- CCTV and swipe card access control installation at residential AOD site.
Your Community Health
- adding a private consulting room for confidential support and refurbishing the needle and syringe shed. This will include dedicated administration area and secure storage for electronic devices and records.
Youth Support Advocacy Service (YSAS)
- renovated bathrooms/showers with disability access, hybrid flooring, modern dishwasher, cardio and recreational equipment, and full interior repainting. Renewed group dining/barbecue areas, courtyard, and pergola over gym with suitable flooring. Installation of solar panels.
About the Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Capital Renewal Fund
Since 2018, the fund has invested $70 million to upgrade mental health and alcohol and other drugs facilities across Victoria, so that Victoria’s mental health workforce can continue to deliver care in the best possible facilities for consumers, carers and visitors.
Learn more about the fund via our dedicated program page.
