New facility for elderly people with mental illness opens at Mercy Hospital

13/11/02
Health Minister Bob Kucera opened a new facility for elderly people with a mental illness in Mt Lawley today.
The 12-bed Ursula Frayne Unit at Mercy Hospital has been built by the State Government at a cost of $3.4million and follows the success of the publicly-funded Mercy Restorative Unit, which opened in 1998 and provides 24 aged care beds and a day hospital.
"This unit is a very welcome boost for elderly people living in the inner northern suburbs and is similar to other specialty elderly facilities operating from Bentley, Selby, Armadale, Swan District and Osborne Park hospitals," Mr Kucera said.
"The Ursula Frayne Unit reflects the emphasis on shifting the focus from institutionalised care to community-based care."
The Minister said the unit would provide acute inpatient, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation services aimed at improving patient mental well-being.
Clinical management of the unit will be overseen by Royal Perth Hospital.
Elderly people can suffer from a range of mental health problems, including depression, dementia, mood and anxiety orders and schizophrenia.
A specialist community care team, currently working from the inner-city mental health service in Murray Street, will relocate to the first floor of the new inpatient unit to provide direct support to patients.
"This will ensure the close working relationship between the inpatient and community services, and enable a co-ordinated approach in the care of the client to be delivered in a range of settings," Mr Kucera said.
"The State Government will provide recurrent funding for the operation of the Ursula Frayne Unit, which will ensure the demands for elderly mental services in the area are accommodated."
The Minister said the unit would provide high-quality care in a home-like environment, situated close to family and friends.
Referrals would be made to the unit's psycho-geriatrician by general practitioners, geriatricians and psychiatrists.
Minister's Office - 9213 7000