Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Contract awarded for Broome mental health facility early works

The WA Government has awarded an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) contract for a contemporary residential-style adult mental health facility for Broome.

The contract, awarded to EMCO Building, will allow the contractor to participate in a collaborative approach to the design, including cultural considerations, as well as the engagement of local subcontractors.

WA Health Minister, Amber-Jade Sanderson says the proposed facility will provide greater access to adult mental health services without the need to travel far from home.

“The Step Up/Step Down service in Broome will provide more flexible, community-based mental health services for people living in the Kimberley region,” said Ms Sanderson.

“The facility will offer short-term rehabilitation for people suffering with mental health concerns who do not require acute care but might not be able to manage at home.”

The Step Up/Step Down service was designed to bridge the gap between home and hospital for people experiencing a change in their mental health.

The Broome facility will be located at the Yinajalan Ngarrungunil Health and Wellbeing Campus, which is centrally located and close to local amenities.

Once established, the six-bed service will provide short-term residential care in a home-like, therapeutic setting that is close to family and friends. Residents will receive a range of mental health services such as counselling and therapy for up to 28 days.

The service will also cater for people who previously received treatment in hospital but no longer require an acute level of care.

Additional support will be available to help people re-establish themselves in their home and community by building healthy routines and coping strategies, the Government said in a statement.

“This is great news for the Kimberley community for people experiencing mental health issues,” said imberley MLA, Divina D’Anna.

“There has been extensive consultation between the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commission and Nyamba Buru Yawuru to ensure the site meets the cultural and local needs of the community.”

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