Sunshine Coast Health has expanded its mental health services to provide care closer to home for consumers living on the southern end of the region.
A community mental health clinic has opened in Caloundra on Mayes Avenue, which will help meet the growing demand for mental health services in the area.
Sunshine Coast Health’s Mental Health and Specialised Services Continuing Care Team South cares for around 300 people, who receive treatment for severe and enduring mental ill health.
Mental Health and Specialised Services Service Director Rachael Aitchison said around 50% of those people live in or around Caloundra.
“These consumers require regular appointments with our clinical teams to support them in their recovery journey and reduce the potential for illness relapse and/or a hospital admission,” she said.
“Before opening this Caloundra clinic, the service has been based out of our Maroochydore hub, which is about a 40-kilometre round trip to Caloundra with limited public transport options available.”
Ms Aitchison said this travel time often resulted in people not attending their appointments.
“While we are seeing a significant increase in referrals form the Caloundra and Aura area, we also saw a higher percentage of ‘did not attend’ for their medical appointments compared to consumers who reside in the Maroochydore area,” she said.
“We expect this number will reduce now we have enhanced accessibility to services, and it also means our staff won’t have to travel as much so they can spend more time with individual consumers.”
Works have been completed to ensure the building is environmentally appropriate, and includes consult rooms, interview rooms, a waiting room and on-site parking.
The specialised teams will provide treatment for a range of mental health services, including adult mental health, older persons mental health and alcohol and other drugs support and treatment.
It is conveniently located near Caloundra Health Service, pathology collection centres and pharmacies.
“We are looking forward to working in the community which we serve and develop enhanced relationships with other local health providers,” Ms Aitchison said.
The lease of the building was funded through Queensland Government’s statewide Better Care Together initiative, which is focused on providing treatment, care, and support to improve mental health for the community of Queensland.
People can access mental health support by phoning 1300 MH CALL (1300 642 255), which is a 24/7 confidential telephone triage service that provides the first point of contact to public mental health services to Queenslanders.
People can access the Alcohol and Other Drugs service by phoning (07) 5319 4899 for information and support. Sunshine Coast Health offers a safe space to access help.