THE Shoalhaven Sub-Acute Mental Health Unit at Shoalhaven Hospital took its first patients on June 16.
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There was no fanfare or official opening of the $11.6 million unit.
The 20-bed unit is located at the north eastern section of the hospital grounds, adjacent to Shoalhaven Street.
It is the first sub-acute mental health unit of its kind in the area and will closely link to the community mental health service and the acute mental health services at Shellharbour.
An Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District spokesperson said the unit catered for short-stay admissions.
“The Shoalhaven unit and the facility at Shellharbour provide different models of care for a different mix of patients,” the spokesperson said.
“The Eloura West unit at Shellharbour is an observation unit for acute patients requiring a secure admission, while the Shoalhaven unit provides services in a step-up, greater support than available in the community, and step-down, less restrictive and closer to home than acute services, capacity.”