Mental health support in country communities

The Rann Labor Government will nearly triple the number of dedicated mental health beds for people with a mental illness who live in regional South Australia.

Mental Health Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says the $250 million reform of mental health services across South Australia will deliver:

o 10 new acute beds in country South Australia for the first time. These will be located at hospitals in Port Lincoln, Whyalla, Berri and Mount Gambier.

o 30 intermediate care places across country South Australia, including 10 planned for Mount Gambier.

o 23 beds at the specialist Rural and Remote Service at Glenside in Adelaide. All of these beds will be retained when the new $130 million hospital is built.

“The Labor Government is investing in acute mental health beds in country South Australia for the first time,” Dr Jane Lomax-Smith says.

“That means country residents experiencing mental illness can get treatment closer to their homes and closer to their family, friends and support networks.

“This not only reduces the need for people to travel, but also reduces the demand on acute care provided in metropolitan hospitals.”

Dr Lomax-Smith says the Liberals’ plan for centralised services at Glenside will force country residents to travel to Adelaide for mental health treatment and care.

“Under the Liberals’ plan, country residents will have no option but to make the longtrip to Adelaide for treatment.”

The new country beds are part of the Rann Government’s $250 million mental health care reforms, including a $130 million, 129-bed hospital at Glenside.