Construction of NSW’s largest mental health facility has begun in Western Sydney, with the State Government investing $540 million to deliver the Westmead Integrated Mental Health Complex.
Set to be completed in 2027, the works 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, said Premier, Chris Minns.
“Today is a really important step forward in building a more accessible and integrated mental healthcare system for NSW,” said Mr Minns.
“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.
“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;
- mental health intensive care and high dependency units;
- a mental health assessment area;
- sub and non-acute mental health beds;
- multidisciplinary ambulatory and outpatient mental health support services.
The new complex will include a link bridge connection to Westmead Hospital, providing better integration between mental health care and other services including the emergency department and psychiatric emergency care, said Health Minister, Ryan Park.
“It’s great to see work getting underway for the new state-of-the-art health facility, which will revolutionise mental health care in NSW,” said Mr Park.
“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.”
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, and it is absolutely safe to do so, said Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson.
“The new Integrated Mental Health Complex will be a game-changer for NSW and will ensure people can receive the best possible care in an environment that prioritises their wellbeing,” said Minister Jackson.
“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.”
