Some of Tasmania’s most vulnerable patients will receive care and treatment in greatly improved facilities from tomorrow, Tuesday, 29 November 2016.
Mental health inpatients will move into modern, purpose built wards on levels 2 and 3 of J-Block.
The new look Department of Psychiatry has 32 beds with the capacity to use the de-escalation room if needed bringing the total beds available to 33.
There will be more privacy for patients because the old four-bed rooms are now a thing of the past with the wards configured predominantly in single bed rooms.
Contemporary treatment and support will be provided to patients with new spaces such as sensory modulation and de-escalation available in the new high dependency unit.
Modern, durable, anti-ligature furniture and fittings has been sourced from mental health experts nationwide and overseas.
State-of-the-art information communication technology will be a feature in the new wards including mobile duress alarms, sensory modulation lighting and centralised television and lighting control.
The design has ensured that all patients have access to outdoor space, a significant achievement in the constrained footprint of the Liverpool Street forecourt.
The RHH Redevelopment and Royal staff have planned the extensive operational commissioning and decanting requirements needed to ensure the relocation of patients tomorrow is done appropriately and efficiently.
Around 50 mental health staff have received induction into the new facilities.
The open ward is located on level 2 with the closed ward and high dependency ward for the highest acuity patients located on level 3 which is a secure floor.
The J-Block inpatient facility will be an opportunity to confirm design elements before the mental health wards in the new K-Block are completed.
The J-Block inpatient facility is a critical feature of the decanting plan needed so B-Block can be demolished and the new ten-storey inpatient precinct called K-Block, can be built.
The $689 million RHH Redevelopment project is delivering a state-of-the-art health facility for generations of Tasmanians to come.
It is a joint funded Australia and Tasmanian Government initiative.
Issued Monday, 28 November 2016
30 Nov 2016