Boost for mental health residential aged care

• Pilot project to reduce pressure on hospital beds

Access to residential aged care for people with complex mental health problems will improve, under a pilot project launched today by Mental Health Minister Andrea Mitchell.

The Liberal National Government has allocated $2 million over 18 months to pilot 10 community-based beds for older adults and has invited providers to submit an offer to deliver the beds in the north metropolitan area.

"With an ageing population, older adults with complex mental health needs are staying in hospital longer than necessary because of a limited number of community beds," Ms Mitchell said.

"These new beds will enable older adults to stay in a more home-like environment and reduce the use of hospital-based mental health services, where it is not necessary.

"Importantly, this initiative will provide the dignity of care for older adults that they deserve, in a supportive social setting in the community."  

The service is designed for people aged 65 years and over with severe and persistent symptoms of mental illness who cannot be supported at home or in mainstream residential aged care settings.

In-reach clinical support, rehabilitation and assessment services will also be provided in a partnership arrangement that delivers people the best value and outcomes for their healthcare dollar.

The Request for Tender Document is available at http://www.tenders.wa.gov.au and submissions close at 2pm on Friday, December 2, 2016.

The beds are expected to be operating in early 2017.

Fact File

• There are more than 340,000 people aged 65 years and over living in WA
• In 2015-16, a mental health bed in a WA hospital cost $1,384 on average each day, and $208 in a non-acute community long stay service

 Minister's office - 6552 5400