People living with mental illness or addiction issues in Melbourne’s west will soon have greater access to the support they need, with the state government expanding public residential rehab facility Westside Lodge.
Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt visited the dual diagnosis unit located at Sunshine Hospital on Friday, March 8 to inspect the additional 10 beds now available for people undertaking its three-month therapeutic program.
She said the expansion will help more people receive the care they need.
“An expanded Westside Lodge will mean many more people in Melbourne’s west will be able to receive the critical rehabilitation and mental health services they need, closer to home,” she said.
Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) in partnership with Western Health, the project will expand Westside Lodge capacity to a larger 30-bed residential unit, with refurbished common areas – giving staff the ability to treat up to an additional 40 people per year.
Western Health’s Westside Lodge provides 24 hour care and support through its therapeutic program, helping Victorians with addiction issues, as well as mental health issues, who may be experiencing withdrawal, and need to continue their treatment.
Designed to provide a calming and therapeutic environment for consumers and their families, the upgrade will also help to reduce pressure on other health services across the western suburbs once it reaches its full capacity.
The Victorian Budget 2023/24 has invested $372 million in alcohol and other drug support services.
