Construction of the state’s largest mental health facility has commenced today in Westmead.
$540 million has been invested by the State Government to deliver the Westmead Integrated Mental Health Complex.
Set to be completed in 2027 it will deliver an uplift in beds, addressing the growing demand for mental health services in the area and providing best-practice care for Western Sydney communities.
“Mental health is an important and ongoing conversation. This investment is about ensuring when people need help, they can receive it, in a place that has been designed to provide the best care possible,” Premier Chris Minns said.
“We know that mental health care can not and should not be separated from other forms of healthcare, which is why it’s so important that this project includes a bridge connecting the mental health services to Westmead Hospital.”
Designs for the new complex were developed in close concert with key stakeholders including hospital staff, clinicians, community members and those with a lived experience in the New South Wales Mental Health System. This engagement will continue throughout the construction process.
The new Westmead Integrated Mental Health Complex will include acute mental health beds, including beds for youth, adolescents, adults, older persons and people living with eating disorders as well as mental health intensive care and high dependency units, a mental health assessment area, sub and non-acute mental health beds and multidisciplinary ambulatory and outpatient mental health support services
As part of this project, existing mental health inpatient and outpatient services at Cumberland Hospital West Campus will be relocated to the new Integrated Mental Health Complex at Westmead Health Precinct.
There will be no disruption or changes to patient care until the Westmead complex is complete.
“The new Integrated Mental Health Complex will be a game-changer for New South Wales and will ensure people can receive the best possible care in an environment that prioritises their wellbeing,” Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson said.
“By combining acute, non-acute and sub-acute services under the one roof, this will be a space that not only addresses the immediate needs of people in crisis but also fosters long-term recovery.”
Minister for Health Ryan Park said: “The new Complex will further cement the Westmead Health Precinct as one of the largest health, research, education and training precincts in the world, and provide enhanced access to mental health care in a contemporary health care facility.”
Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said she was pleased to see progress on the project.
“Turning the sod on this new Complex opens a new chapter in the history of mental health services in Parramatta that has spanned more than 175 years,” she said.
“This new build also provides a welcome boost to the local economy, supporting almost 1000 direct jobs with the potential for supporting thousands of indirect jobs throughout the life of the project.”
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.