Warrnambool is the latest rural centre to open a new recovery-based mental health service, which will free up acute hospital beds and boost local employment opportunities for health workers.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today opened the $4.75 million South West Healthcare Prevention and Recovery Care (PARC) 10-bed facility.
Operations will officially commence in March.
PARC services deliver short-term residential treatment programs for people with a mental illness that focus on early intervention for people who are becoming unwell, and for those in the early stages of recovery from an episode of acute illness.
With 24-hour support from clinicians and around-the-clock support staff – it is strongly focussed on recovery in a home-like environment.
The Warrnambool PARC facility will also boost local employment, creating 12 new full-time equivalent positions for social workers, occupational therapists, allied health workers, and other mental health professionals.
There are now 20 PARC facilities operating across Melbourne and rural Victoria.
The Victorian Budget 2017/18 included a $325.7 million record investment in mental health services to further implement the Labor Government’s 10-year Mental Health Plan to save and improve lives.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“This new mental health support service will boost and improve treatments and ease pressure on other local health services.”
“It’s a new community-based model to support people in Warrnambool with a mental illness on their journey of recovery.”
“PARC units deliver a unique, home-like setting where people with a mental illness can get the support they need to get their lives back on track.”
