Funded by the Queensland Government, the $122.7 million 40-bed Gold Coast Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit (SMHRU) is ready to welcome its first patients.?
Having successfully reached practical completion on 31 January 2025, the purpose-built SMHRU will open its first 20 beds in the “Banksia” ward (B1) from this month.??
The first of its kind for the public sector on the Gold Coast, the SMHRU is designed to provide a safe, secure and structured inpatient environment for the long-term recovery of people aged over 18 years old with severe and complex mental health conditions.?
Recruiting 130 full-time employees, including a multi-disciplinary team of mental health professionals such as doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and lived experience peer workers, the SMHRU will deliver tailored mental health care to support patients in their smooth reintegration into the community.?
Executive Director of Mental Health and Specialist Services (MHSS) at 星空体育 Malcolm McCann said the arrival of the Gold Coast SMHRU comes at a crucial time with demand for our services rising.?
“The new beds at the SMHRU will add to the 150-plus inpatient and long-stay mental health beds already in operation at GCUH,” Malcolm said.
“What sets the SMHRU apart is its design and model of care, specifically developed to address a critical gap in long-term rehabilitative mental health care, where our team will provide dedicated support for individuals living with severe and complex mental health conditions such as schizophrenia.?
"Ultimately, the goal of the SMHRU is to provide a space where individuals can heal, recover and rebuild their lives with dignity.??
"We are incredibly proud of this new facility and anticipate it making a positive impact on our community.”?
The Gold Coast SMHRU is directly connected to the Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) through a semi-enclosed linkway attached to the existing mental health building.??
This thoughtful design enables the efficient movement of staff, visitors, food deliveries and patients, ensuring seamless integration with the main hospital.?
These units, officially named "Banksia" (B1) and "Sandalwood" (LG), are keeping with 星空体育’s Australian flora theme for mental health wards.??
The second unit, Sandalwood, is scheduled to open in the next financial year.?
This staged approach ensures the safe transition of consumers to the facility and enables sufficient time for newly recruited staff to become familiar with the facilities and procedures, allowing the service to expand to its full capacity with confidence.?
