Graylands hospital has been described as belonging in another century.
Western Australia’s largest psychiatric facility, which has been widely criticised for being out-dated and overcrowded, will be closed down in stages over several years.
Mental Health Minister Helen Morton said that some new, contemporary mental health facilities would be created at Graylands.
“I would like to reassure every person receiving services at Graylands, as well as their families and carers, that they will continue to receive quality services and support,” she said.
“Nobody who is now receiving services will be disadvantaged or have their services reduced.”
Wednesday’s announcement is part of the West Australian Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services Plan 2015-2025.
Releasing the draft plan for consultation, Premier Colin Barnett said people struggling with mental illness, alcohol and drug use, as well as their families, needed access to personalised and high-quality services close to home.
“Prevention and early intervention programs and greater access to community-based services are essential to bring balance to the system and reduce our reliance on expensive hospital beds,” he said.
Ms Morton said the plan outlined the need for change over the next decade to tackle mental health, alcohol and other drug challenges.
“We want to achieve this by moving hospital and community services to outer metropolitan and regional locations where possible, and increasing the number of people treated closer to home,” she said.
– AAP