Royal Darwin Hospital will soon receive a new mental health facility, with construction of a three-storey, 18-bed building due to start in the coming months.
Designed by Territory firm Ashford Architects, the therapeutic facility is intended to help relieve pressure on the hospital’s emergency department.
Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Lauren Moss said the new unit would increase capacity for mental health services at the hospital, complementing the existing services to deliver sub-acute beds and suicide prevention services.
The upgrade will also include the refurbishment of the existing Central Services Sterilisation Department, led by Hames Sharley. The redevelopment is intended to raise the facility to meet revised Australian standards for sterilising reusable medical devices.
A $57.7-million construction tender was awarded to local construction company Sitzler in January 2023 to build the new mental health inpatient unit.
The new facility will be connected to existing hospital’s emergency department via an elevated, enclosed walkway across Nightingale Road.
The project has received $30 million in funding from the federal government. Works will begin in the first half of 2023, with a completion date slated for mid-2024.
“We are planning for the future to ensure Territorians have access to appropriate mental health and suicide prevention services across the Territory,” said Moss.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
