Western Australia Minister for Mental Health Graham Jacobs

Minister Opens New Mental Health Unit at Rockingham

Victor P Taffa

Mental Health Minister Graham Jacobs today officially opened the $18 Million Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit at Rockingham General Hospital.

Dr. Jacobs said the unit was a first for the Hospital and would provide access to enhanced Mental Health Services for people living in Rockingham, Kwinana and the Peel Region.

“The unit is located on the Hospital’s main campus, but will be integrated with the Peel and Rockingham Kwinana Mental Health Service.” the Minister said.

The Minister said the inclusion of Mental Health in the Hospital’s Redevelopment would complement existing facilities to ensure Local Residents had access to a High-Quality, Modern Health Service to match the Region’s Growing Demands.

The Unit had capacity for 20 Adults (16 open and four secure beds) and 10 older Adult (six open and four secure beds).  The Unit would initially have 16 open Adult beds and Transition Services to full capacity by mid-2011.

Community engagement and consultation was an integral part of the Planning Process and this was reflected in the layout and design of the unit, which had been positively received.

The Level 5 Facility provides:

• Single Bedroom Ensuites;
• Social Spaces, Including:
• Activity Rooms with Cooking Facilities;
• Lounge Rooms;
• Health and Fitness Room;
• Quiet Rooms.

A Therapeutic Recovery Program with high levels of staff and consumer interaction is the working model for the unit.

This is reflected in the design which takes gender sensitivity, family inclusion and trauma awareness into consideration.

The unit has been named ‘Mimidi Park’, chosen after a period of community, carer and staff consultation.  Mimidi is the Noongar word for Grass Tree.

The opening of the unit is a key component of the redevelopment of Rockingham General Hospital, aimed at providing a greater range of health services for the Local Community.