2023-10-10
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Southside will relocate and upgrade to new fit-for-purpose facilities, providing a more modern and safe environment for staff and the people they care for.
As part of this year’s Budget Review, a capital investment of over $5million will relocate the Southside service from Callam Offices in Woden. The service is moving to a more modern, ground floor location in the town centre that will be built into a fit-for-purpose space for the service, which supports the provision of mental health care.
Minister for Mental Health Emma Davidson said that the new location in Bowes Place, will be better suited for the delivery of outpatient mental health services, offer increased client amenities, better accessibility and improved safety for clients and staff.
“CAMHS Southside has been operating from Callam Offices in Woden since the early 2000’s, providing critical mental health assessments and treatments to our women, children and young people,” Minister Davidson said.
“While it is a historically significant building, it is no longer reflective of a best-practice clinical setting for our team of psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, nurses and psychiatrists, or the people they care for.”
“The new accommodation will be easily accessible and close to amenities, public transport, and public parking.
“It will also have increased floor space, improved staff workstation configurations, and provide child and youth friendly clinical spaces for sensitive communications and therapy with at-risk clients, including new and expectant mums.”
A tender process for the construction of the new Bowes Place facility has just been finalised. Construction is expected to commence later this year, with CAMHS Southside to relocate early next year once works on the new facility are complete.