Mental health care for children and adolescents to improve

Perth Children’s Hospital Inpatient Unit (Ward 5A) is being upgraded to ensure it continues to meet the contemporary needs of its patients.

Of the ward’s 20 mental health beds, 12 will be temporarily moved to Hollywood Private Hospital in October 2024, to allow for the upgrades to take place. These 12 beds will cater to children and adolescents aged 14 up to 16 years, while the other eight beds will remain open at Perth Children’s Hospital for children under 14 years of age, and non-voluntary patients.

The Ward 5A upgrade will ensure children and their families and carers can access equitable, timely and quality mental health care. It will include the creation of more therapeutic and activity spaces and provide more flexibility in how spaces are used to suit patient needs.

This upgrade is part of the Government’s commitment to transform our mental health system, following the Ministerial Taskforce into Public Mental Health Services for Infants, Children and Adolescents aged 0 – 18 years.