Young South Australians with severe mental health problems will have access to a brand new inpatient facility at the Women's and Children's Hospital (WCH), as part of the Marshall Liberal Government's vision to build better health services.
The $15m Mallee Ward will replace the former Boylan Ward at the WCH and is run by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the new state-of-the-art facility forms part of the Marshall Liberal Government's vital $50 million upgrades to the WCH.
"The Mallee Ward is the only designated psychiatric inpatient facility for children and adolescents in South Australia. It houses a range of new spaces and features that will help clinicians to be able to continue to provide the highest level of care to children and young people experiencing mental distress and crisis," Minister Wade said.
"As the major hospital for some of the state's most vulnerable people, it is essential the WCH continues to operate at the highest standard while planning continues for the new hospital. In the meantime we will not neglect those who need services now.
"A significant level of consultation and planning went in to the design and construction of this new ward, ensuring that young people with both acute and significant mental health needs can receive the care they need.
"This includes the exciting new feature of a courtyard, giving consumers access to an outdoor area for the first time, and providing a space for a number of important therapeutic activities to assist with their treatment."
The new Mallee Ward will also include a high dependency / low stimulus area, individual patient rooms with ensuites, consult spaces, sensory rooms, larger recreation spaces, as well as a staff-led kitchen and laundry.
Children and young people will be given an e-bracelet that provides them with access to their room only. Areas such as the kitchen and computer spaces are completely lockable to block unsupervised access.
Women's and Children's Health Network Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Clinical Director, Dr Mohammed Usman, said consumers and current inpatients played a big role in many of the ward's design features.
"The design of the Mallee Ward incorporates a great level of attention to detail to enhance the care and comfort of patients, including natural light and calming colours, as well as safety features on doors, bedding and bedside storage," said Dr Usman.
"The new ward has been designed to allow for a four-bed High Dependency/Low Stimulus Unit (HD/LS-U) separate from the rest of the ward, to provide more acute treatment for patients who require more acute care. It can be opened or closed to meet patient and staff needs."
Boylan Inpatient Unit Nursing Unit Manager, Kendall Lounder, said the upgrade would significantly benefit the young patients, allowing the ward to offer a larger number of wrap-around therapies and services.
"The Ward provides specialised care and support for children and adolescents with acute and often complex mental health problems, and this significant upgrade will allow us to provide increased care to our vulnerable young people," Ms Lounder said.
"The incorporation of the courtyard into the new space will allow for us to provide therapeutic gardening. Young people will be able to grow and care for produce and use it in cooking activities as well.
"The larger exercise space and equipment will also provide an area for the activity therapist to hold group sessions.
"The healing and supportive environment will enhance the treatment and therapies offered, with the patient's dignity and care at its centre."
