- The Crisafulli Government is delivering on another election commitment, with a new youth Step Up, Step Down mental health facility for Townsville.
- The new six-bed facility - which is being delivered as part of the Crisafulli Government's record $33.1 billion Health Budget - will provide short-stay intensive mental health treatment in a rehabilitative and residential environment.
- Queenslanders have now seen 10 months of delivery under the Crisafulli Government to diagnose, treat and cure Labor's Health Crisis, after 10 years of decline under the former Government.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering the foundation of health services when you need them with a fully-funded Hospital Rescue Plan and more mental health services across regional Queensland.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering what it promised with a new Step Up, Step Down facility that will provide a short-stay intensive mental health treatment for youths in Townsville, as part of the Easier Access to Health Services Plan.
The new service delivers on a key election commitment of the Crisafulli Government, and will provide 24/7 care in the community, enabling young people to receive treatment closer to home.
The six-bed service is designed to support young people to step up from community-based care into more intensive treatment, or step down from hospital care into a supported community setting, depending on their needs.
The Crisafulli Government's record $33.1 billion Health Budget is delivering $50 million for two Step Up, Step Down facilities - with another to be delivered in Rockhampton.
The Crisafulli Government is diagnosing, treating and curing Labor's Health Crisis after 10 years of decline in which underfunding, under-resourcing and under-delivering left Queenslanders with a health system in crisis.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering the foundation of health services when you need them, with a fully-funded Hospital Rescue Plan that includes more than 2,600 extra hospital beds across Queensland, and a $3.1 billion investment for more mental health services.
Today's announcement follows a grassroots campaign led by Member for Thuringowa Natalie Marr, in conjunction with Member for Mundingburra Janelle Poole and Member for Townsville Adam Baillie, to secure the life-changing facility for Townsville.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the Crisafulli Government was reinvesting every dollar from the Mental Health Levy into vital mental health and alcohol and other drug services across Queensland.
"The Crisafulli Government promised to deliver more specialist health services when you need them, and through the Easier Access to Health Services Plan, we are doing just that," Minister Nicholls said. "The important work we're doing here in Townsville - and across Queensland - would never have happened under Labor, who allowed Queensland to slip into decline during their 10 years in Government."
Member for Thuringowa Natalie Marr said she had campaigned hard to ensure Townsville was selected as the centre for another regional Step Up, Step Down clinic.
"I have been fighting for a new Step Up, Step Down facility in Townsville because our young people deserve to have access to world-class mental health care like what we see elsewhere in the state," Ms Marr said. Member for Mundingburra Janelle Poole said the service would ensure continuity of care for those in need, which was essential for better health outcomes. "That is why this campaign was so important, to deliver much needed services that the entire North Queensland region will benefit from," Ms Poole said. Member for Townsville Adam Baillie said this model of care helps remove barriers to accessing mental health support. "This service is about providing a safe, non-threatening space for young people to be able to take a break and get the support they need, when they need it," Mr Baillie said.
