ACT gets new 48-person older persons unit
The ACT now has a new 48-person bed purpose built facility for the provision of rehabilitation-aged care services and older persons mental health inpatient services.
The ACT Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher, said that the ACT Government had provided more than $10 million per annum for the operation of the facility and had joined with the Federal Government in providing $9.75 million for the facility’s construction.
“The Older Persons Unit consists of a 20-bed older person’s mental health unit that will care for elderly patients with acute mental illness and challenging behaviour. This is a first for the ACT and an important part of the ACT Government’s mental health strategy.
“In addition the Sub-Acute Aged Care & Rehabilitation Unit will comprise 28 beds to be used for sub-acute aged care and rehabilitation of patients when they leave acute care or come from the community.
“This is a significant enhancement to the level of service capacity within the ACT Health system in meeting the needs of older people. The 48 new beds are in addition to the 12 existing geriatric evaluation and management beds operating within Calvary’s main building, bringing the total number of beds providing these services to 60,” Minister Gallagher said.
