News

Site found for new Mildura community mental health facility

Wed, 02 Sep 2015 09:10:00

Planning is underway for a new Prevention and Recovery Centre (PARC) in Mildura that will allow mental health patients access to more effective support and treatment in the local community.

The Victorian Budget contained $4.4million for a PARC due to open in 2017 and to be run by Mildura Base Hospital and the Victorian Community Mental Health Support Services.
PARCs are short to medium-term residential facilities offering a community-based integrated service for voluntary patients.  They focus on recovery and independent living and already operate successfully in Melbourne, Bendigo, Geelong and Shepparton.
Currently most patients requiring mental health services in Mildura are treated within the community. MBH Ward 5 provides in-patient services for acute mental health issues and the new PARC service will provide “step up-step down” services for Mildura patients for the first time.
Mildura Base Hospital’s Acting Director of Mental Health Services Belinda Pavilach said the 10-bed Mildura facility would be built on vacant land in Boyden Street.
“PARC services are a really effective option for mental health patients who would access services from within the community, but who would benefit from the more intensive support that can come with short to medium-term residential support,” Ms Pavilach said.
“The PARC will be a safe and supportive setting for people who are finding it difficult to cope at home.  It will provide an opportunity for early intervention and clinical treatment with a focus on recovery,” she said.
The PARC will provide supervised 24-hour care for up to ten residents.
“Five will be for short-stay patients for up to 28 days, and five mid-term stay beds would be for patients requiring up to six months of clinical support, stabilisation and recovery,” Ms Pavilach said.
“Having the PARC in Mildura allows people to start their recovery journey while they can still access their existing supports and networks and continue to be involved in community life,” she said.
“That’s obviously better for the client and their family, but achieving outcomes that are about recovery, prevention and reintegration is obviously where we want to be from a community perspective, as well.”
Mildura Base Hospital (MBH) Area Mental Health Service will be responsible for the delivery of clinical services, with the Mental Health Community Support Services (MHCSS) will provide the operational management of the PARC and daily care for clients.
Residents in the area around the site have been consulted, including at a community information session.  Ms Pavilach said a project group is continuing to keep local residents up to date as it works on plans for the new facility.
“The local residents have been terrific in their interest and getting involved in the discussion around how the new facility will look and work,” Ms Pavilach said.
“PARC addresses a community demand for improvement to mental health services and we’re pleased that people are welcoming it as a positive investment in service delivery and better outcomes for our clients and our community,” she said.