Mental health services at Hornsby will be significantly enhanced following the opening today of the $33.5 million Mental Health Unit at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital by Minister for Health Jillian Skinner and Minister for Mental Health Kevin Humphries.
Member for Hornsby Matt Kean said the facility will usher in a new standard of mental health care for people living in Hornsby and across Sydney's North Shore.
"The NSW Government's investment in this facility is a reflection of our commitment to improving the lives of those affected by mental illness through increasing access to specialist mental health services where they are most needed," Mr Kean said.
Mr Humphries said the state-of-the-art facility – which comprises a 35-bed adult unit and 12-bed child and youth unit - will deliver major improvements to mental health services for residents of Hornsby and the surrounding areas.
"This impressive mental health facility will make inpatient care more accessible for people in Northern Sydney communities such as Hornsby," Mr Humphries said.
"In a first for children and adolescents with a mental illness living in Northern Sydney and the Central Coast, the unit offers an inpatient facility of 12 beds.
"These new wards will ensure adults throughout Northern Sydney and children and adolescents across both Northern Sydney and the Central Coast who need additional support to manage a mental health problem will receive that support in their local community, close to their families, friends, workplaces and schools," Mr Humphries said.
The unit also features child and youth mental health community services, therapy rooms, family meeting areas, gym facility, courtyards and onsite parking.
Mrs Skinner said that being co-located at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital would ensure the physical healthcare needs of mentally ill patients are better met.
"Too many families lose their loved ones too soon from preventable physical illnesses exacerbated by mental illness. The co-location of this unit will ensure people with mental illness receive greater care for cardiovascular, respiratory and infectious diseases if needed," Mrs Skinner said.
"This new unit will also not only provide specialist mental health services to the people of the Northern Sydney Local Health Districts, it will also provide vital assistance and support to their families and carers."
