A vital new after-hours crisis care, Lighthouse Crisis Support Space has now opened at Bundaberg Hospital to help community members experiencing mental health distress.
Funded under the Queensland Government’s $1.6 billion Better Care Together, the service will provide a specialised environment allowing community members to be fast-tracked out of the hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) or bypass it all together.
Offering care from peer workers and mental health clinicians, The Lighthouse Crisis Support Space will initially operate from 2-9 pm Thursday to Monday and can be accessed via the emergency department. With the intention to increase opening hours to seven days a week, as well as offer direct referral.
The opening of the Lighthouse Crisis Support Space coincided with Queensland Mental Health Week from earlier this month.
Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman said the new space would ensure people with mental health concerns were supported.
“We know that while Emergency Departments are a critical part of the mental health crisis care system, they are often not the ideal option for people experiencing mental health crisis or distress,” she said.
“The new Lighthouse Crisis Support Space will ensure people who need mental health support can access the right care in the right place at the right time.
“We understand how important it is for consumers to have a safe and welcoming space when they need to access support.
“That’s why the Lighthouse Crisis Support Space has been co-designed with people with lived experience of mental health crisis.
“We know there is a growing need for mental health support all over the state and our five-year, $1.645 billion Better Care Together mental health plan continues to deliver on this front.”
Wide Bay Hospital Health Service Chief Executive Debbie Carroll said crisis support spaces provided a combination of peer and clinical support in a welcoming, homely environment and aimed to provide an alternative to the emergency department.
“The new Lighthouse Crisis Support Space is our latest step towards our goal to enhance and transform health services to improve patient outcomes,” she said.
“A highlight of this project has been working with local artist and graphic designer LeeLee West to create bright, welcoming art to wrap the building.
“LeeLee was able to facilitate workshops with consumers and staff in the mental health area who are on their own journeys to create the work which features crashing waves, a light house and sea animals.”
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