PENINSULA Health’s adult mental health unit at Frankston Hospital is about to undergo $1.5 million upgrade.
Named 2 West, the unit it was built in the early 1990s but has seen little in the way of capital improvements over the past 25 years.
The physical environment has been described by clients and their families as “dismal and prison-like”.
“The funding announced will provide an immediate improvement to the environment in our acute mental health unit and the safety of clients and staff,” Peninsula Health CEO Sue Williams said.
“Our staff do a fantastic job caring for our mental health clients, however, the physical environment falls well below contemporary standards and impacts the recovery of patients and the safety of our staff.”
Ms Williams said the money would allow the hospital to create a more pleasant space to help patients recover faster with its upgraded courtyards, dining and activity areas.
Peninsula Health mental health services, and the 2 West Ward in particular, consistently outperform other health services in Victoria and lead the state in reductions of restrictive interventions and seclusions, she said.
“Peninsula Health is a health service on the move with over $150 million in capital investment over the last five years,” Ms Williams said.