Ballarat opens new mental health hub with $6 million refurbishment
A $5.99 million refurbished facility now sits in Ballarat Central. It brings together mental health specialists who were previously spread across outdated buildings.
Grampians Health moved its adult mental health service. It went from Ballarat Base Hospital to a new Community Mental Health Building on Albert Street.
The facility brings together speech pathologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, psychologists and lived-experience workers. They now work in one modern hub.
The refurbishment transformed a former Centrelink office. It also fixed long-standing dignity issues.
The old facility had no toilets for consumers. Visitors had to use public toilets behind another building.
Chief operating officer Ben Kelly said the central location would help people. It would reduce confusion and delays in finding regional care.
The facility accepts GP referrals and walk-in triage Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. About 20 per cent of acute psychiatric admissions in the region come through emergency departments.
- $5.99 million
- Investment
- Albert Street, Ballarat Central
- Location
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
- Opening hours
Why it mattersThe consolidation makes mental health care easier to access. It can reduce unnecessary emergency department visits. It also improves patient dignity.
AustraliaPeople in Ballarat and the Grampians region now have easier access to mental health support in a central, accessible location.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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