OAKESHOTT INDEPENDENT
OAKESHOTT WELCOMES THE START OF THE TWO STEP MENTAL HEALTH UPGRADE FOR PORT MACQUARIE
Independent MP for Port Macquarie, Rob Oakeshott, today said the start of works on the $2.4 million transitional arrangements in mental health at Port Macquarie Base Hospital will be a catalyst for further pressure to be applied on government to build the '4th Pod' for the 20-bed mental health unit.
"The 20-bed unit is the goal in Port Macquarie, and we cannot get this without getting government to commit to a time-frame for the 4th pod where the unit will be built, Mr Oakeshott said.
"I am certainly pleased we are now seeing investment in mental health locally. This $2.4 million transitional upgrade is hopefully a show of faith by the government that they recognise the issues in Port Macquarie, and are willing to address them even further with further investment soon, Mr Oakeshott said.
"The true test will be the funding and building of the '4th pod' that will alleviate mental health pressures as well as pressures at accident and emergency, Mr Oakeshott said.
"I know the transitional arrangements have, and will, cause disruptions to many people, both clinicians and consumers, and I thank them for their tolerance. With the $2.4 million upgrade complete in the next few months, we will then have a facility at the hospital to accommodate both voluntary and involuntary patients, as well as the longer term goal of a psycho-geriatric unit to back up the 20-bed unit that will be a key feature of the '4th pod', Mr Oakeshott said.
"As well, an important part of the overall strategy is increased numbers of community-based mental health workers, and I am assured by the Area Health CEO that we will continue to see increases in this area, which will see the case-loads of the individual staff decrease, thus allowing for more time to be spent with each individual in need," Mr Oakeshott said.
22 February 2007