Ballarat is receiving more than $410,000 in grants to improve mental health and rehabilitation facilities, as part of upgrades across the state.

Facilities Renewal Grants help existing mental health and alcohol and other drug services to improve facilities for consumers, carers, visitors and staff.

They enable services to tackle critical minor infrastructure and capital works, to ensure facilities meet contemporary standards regarding physical amenity, space and safety.

Ballarat Health, the Community Mental Health rooms in the Queen Victoria building, Wimmera Uniting Care and Uniting Care Ballarat will all receive funding for upgrades and refurbishments.

Visiting Ballarat today, Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley announced $2.8 million for 26 mental health, alcohol and other drug facility renewal projects including Wodonga, Geelong, Belmont, Shepparton, Traralgon, Wonthaggi, Korumburra, Warrnambool, Hastings, Echuca, Kyneton, Wangaratta, Bairnsdale and Portland.

Minister Foley also announced $126,000 in funding to Ballarat Health to strengthen its consultant liaison pyschiatric service, which provides mental health care for patients admitted to general hospital wards.

Many patients need support while in hospital dealing with the impact of their illnesses or injuries, especially patients with cancer, terminal illness, chronic illness or pain.

Ballarat is one of 8 health services to share in a $1.28 million boost to consultant liaison pyschiatric services in regional Victoria – other health services include Barwon, Bendigo, Goulburn, Latrobe, Mildura, Albury-Wodonga and South West Healthcare.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley

“To provide the best mental health services, you need safe, modern facilities. That’s why we invested to build and upgrade mental health and alcohol and other drug facilities.”

“We’re ensuring staff and patients have the best support to get through a rough patch.”

“Our consultant liaison services will mean patients receiving treatment for a major illness or injury can receive mental health support while they’re in hospital.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight

“This additional support will mean the Ballarat community can access safe and modern facilties and services – no matter when they need it most.”