McKellar Centre
Mr EREN (Lara) (10:02): I am so proud that the Andrews Labor government is building the mental health system the Geelong community needs. With construction nearing completion on the new acute mental health service at Barwon Health’s McKellar Centre, last week along with the Minister for Mental Health and my colleagues the member for Geelong and the member for South Barwon I toured the site of the new 16-bed facility. This is on track to be completed in May this year and delivers on key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System just a year after the final report was handed down. The McKellar Centre facility will support an extra 355 Victorians to get the acute care they need each year. The beds have been designed in consultation with people who have lived experience of the mental health system, including consumers, carers and staff, to deliver a safe, welcoming treatment environment for Victorians experiencing acute mental health concerns. This new facility will reduce pressure on University Hospital Geelong’s emergency department, delivering inpatient and acute mental health services and of course community-based care in a contemporary, safe and high-quality hospital setting. Throughout the royal commission we heard too many stories of people in our community who did not get the care they needed. We are delivering on the mental health support at every level so no Victorian falls through the cracks.