Friday, 11 October 2019

Mind Australia Limited is one of 39 health services across the state earmarked for $10 million in facility upgrades.

Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health, Harriet Shing today announced $55,000.00 in funding to help improve the quality of care delivered to clients at Wannik Gunyah Youth Residential Program in Traralgon, under the Andrews Labor Government’s Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Facilities Renewal Grants.

The grants are designed to assist public mental health clinical services, alcohol and drug services and mental health community support services.

The funding for Wannik Gunyah Youth Residential Program will be used for:

• Upgrading of the ageing facilities in the communal kitchen to support recovery and rehabilitation
• Refurbishing the staff rooms to reflect current quality and safety standards
• Refurbishing the 10 residential bedrooms (and en-suites) to current functional standards
• Converting a storage room to a “”sensory quiet room”” for residents

The upgrades will provide greater comfort for patients and service workers and enable clinicians to deliver safer and more efficient care.

While the Royal Commission continues its vital work, the Labor Government continues to trial mental health programs, and treatments and investigates new ways to reduce the devastating impact of alcohol and other drugs on our community.

This is why Victoria’s record-level investment of $273.1 million in drug services – an increase of 65 per cent over the last five budgets – includes new funding in 2019-20 of $10.2 million to open more residential rehabilitation beds across the state.

The Government is also building on last year’s record mental health investment with a further $172.8 million in the Victorian Budget 2019 – 20 to ensure Victorians with mental illness get better treatment and care, closer to home.

Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health and Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing

‘This grant will enable residents and staff of Wannik Gunyah Youth Residential Service in Traralgon to create and utilise more comfortable and fit-for-purpose facilities.”

“Catering for individual needs with the establishment of a “sensory quiet room”, the upgrading of staff facilities and kitchen and refurbishing of bedrooms will all make a real difference to the well-being, safety and amenity of workers and their clients.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing Martin Foley

“Whether it’s building works to improve the comfort, and safety of a facility or works to enhance recovery and rehabilitation opportunities – these grants are ensuring our service providers can deliver the best possible care.”