The latest plans for the new Banksia Mental Health Unit confirm that Tamworth’s new Mental Health Unit would be a facility that meets community expectation. 

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson welcomed the release of updates plans after he had fought to ensure the new facility would have beds and services for children and adolescents.

“I have been fighting for a better Banksia for some time, working with the Tamworth Mental Health Carers Support Group and the community to ensure we get the facility we need, and the facility we deserve,” Mr Anderson said.

“A big part of the work we did was to get the additional funding necessary to include child and adolescent beds in the unit, ensuring that we ended the practice of sending our kids to Newcastle’s NEXUS unit for care.

“This is now a $56.2 million, 37 bed facility and I welcome the updated concept designs which give us further detail in relation to how patients will interact with the new facility.

The new facility will include:

• Child and Adolescent Community Mental Health services
• Four adolescent inpatient beds
• 20-bed adult pod, as well as five-bed high acuity zone
• Eight-bed older person’s pod

“The Minister for Mental Health has heard the calls from our community to continue with the designs for the new Banksia that we released in December, and it’s good to see the progression of those designs released today.

“I thank the Minister for recognising the voice of the Tamworth community and look forward to working with the community to ensure this is the facility that our we expect and deserve.” 

The Minister has advised that work will commence later this year, with an anticipated opening date in 2025.

For more information please visit: https://hneinfra.health.nsw.gov.au/projects/banksia