This landmark project represented a sea change in the treatment offered to children and adolescents in Northern Sydney and the Central Coast.
It included the region’s first inpatient service for young people, meaning they could be accommodated and treated in a purpose-built facility. Before the new unit opened, they had to be treated in wards designed for adults or be treated out of the area.
This project was more than providing a 12-bed child and adolescent unit and a 35-bed acute mental health unit for adults – it was about creating an attractive place in which to treat people with mental health issues.
At its opening, the unit was described as “superb” by the clinical director of the Northern Sydney Local Health District Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Service Dr Michael Paton.
Former Minister for Health Jillian Skinner had this to say: “This is exactly how a mental health facility should be, as good as any other part of the community.”
As well as the specialist units for adults and younger people, the unit features a staff office and co-located support facilities for both units and a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Community Service. The Mental Health Unit also includes therapy rooms, family meeting areas, a gym, courtyards, 155 on-site parking spaces and landscaping with signage.
Planix Projects provided Project Directorship for this project.