Felicity Caldwell reports in the Brisbane Times (13.10.16) on the state government’s announcement that a new adolescent mental health facility would be built at the Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane to replace the former Barrett Centre, controversially closed by the previous Newman Government.
‘A new bed-based extended treatment and rehabilitation facility at the Prince Charles Hospital to replace the closed Barrett Adolescent Centre will be announced on Thursday.
‘In Queensland Parliament on Thursday morning, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said a new centre would replace the centre closed under the Newman government in 2014. She said construction should start by the end of next year.
‘Ms Palaszczuk said the government would work closely with individuals and families associated with the former Barrett Centre.
‘Three teenage former patients of the Barrett Adolescent Centre committed suicide only months after the well-regarded youth service was closed in January 2014.
‘The closure of the former centre was criticised by an official inquiry, which found the former health minister was poorly advised and inadequate reports were kept.
‘Health Minister Cameron Dick said the government was committed to implementing all the commission’s six recommendations, following the inquiry.’