- Published:
- Monday 9 December 2024
The Allan Labor Government is upgrading and modernising Victoria’s mental health facilities with applications now open to the latest round of the Mental Health Capital Renewal Fund.
Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt today announced mental health services across Victoria can apply for their share in the $10 million fund – with individual grants of up to $1 million available.
It delivers on the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System to address physical safety and wellbeing risks in Victoria’s mental health facilities.
Projects eligible for funding include renewal, reconfigurations and refurbishments that improve staff, consumer, and carer safety, increase quality and efficiency of services and enhance patient experience, while supporting Victorians on their mental health recovery journey.
Projects previously funded include $1 million for the refurbishment of Monash Health’s Doveton Community Care Unit, $1 million for the upgrade of the Austin Hospital’s Acute Psychiatric Unit, and $994,000 for the refurbishment of the Mental Health Inpatient Ward at the Northern Hospital Epping campus.
Projects delivered through the fund are also supporting job opportunities and providing an economic boost to local businesses and communities.
A $10 million boost in this year’s Victorian Budget 2024/25 sees the fund now worth $60 million. Projects successful in securing funding are supported by the Victorian Health Building Authority and delivered by the publicly funded health service provider.
The Labor Government has embarked on the biggest modernisation of a mental health system in Australian history, with work underway on the implementation of over 90 per cent of Royal Commission recommendations and more than $6 billion invested since the Royal Commission handed down its final report.
Further information on the fund, including guidelines and the submission process, can be found by visiting vhba.vic.gov.au/mental-health/mental-health-capital-renewal-fund.
Quote attributable to Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt
“We’re not wasting a minute in our ongoing work to re-build Victoria’s mental health system from the ground up, so that every Victorian has access to care as soon as they need it, no matter where they live.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Health Infrastructure Mary-Anne Thomas
“Projects funded under the latest round of the fund will help ensure staff, patients and their carers can deliver and receive treatment in a welcoming environment that feels modern, comfortable and safe.”