As it enters the final construction phase, the new Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit (SMHRU) at the Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) is on track to become a pioneer of mental health care in the region.
The scaffolding is down and the building is expected to be completed late in 2024, with the first 20 patients welcomed in early 2025.
Recruitment is in full swing with the clinical leadership team now on board.
The $122.7 million facility is the first of its kind for the public sector on the Gold Coast, designed to support the recovery of individuals with severe and complex mental health disorders.
Funded by the Queensland Government, the SMHRU will offer 40 beds split between two self-contained units across two levels.
The two wards have been officially named "Banksia" (B1) and "Sandalwood" (LG), in keeping with Gold Coast Health’s Australian flora theme for mental health wards.
The facility is seamlessly linked to GCUH by a semi-enclosed linkway attached to the existing mental health building, ensuring the efficient flow of staff, visitors, food delivery, and consumers between the new unit and the main hospital.
Clinical Director of Mental Health and Specialist Services at Gold Coast Health Dr Sandeep Chand said the SMHRU had been purpose-built to address a critical gap in mental health care for those living with severe and complex conditions like schizophrenia.
“Our vision is to create a safe, therapeutic space where patients can recover with dignity and compassion,” Dr Chand said.
"We have designed the SMHRU to be a healing environment that integrates natural light, secure outdoor areas, and a home-like atmosphere.
“This approach is essential for patients who may need extended stays, allowing them to feel supported as they work towards recovery.
"We’ve worked closely with individuals with lived experience to develop the space as well as the model of care to ensure the SMHRU provides a therapeutic environment that feels like home.
“Here, patients can build resilience, develop life skills, and prepare to reintegrate into their daily lives.
"The focus on natural light and secure outdoor spaces is central to creating a healing environment that supports long-term recovery."
