The Palaszczuk Government is partnering with Mater Health to deliver a new inpatient mother and baby unit through an Australia-first integrated perinatal mental healthcare centre in South Brisbane.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the Palaszczuk Government was providing $7 million in capital funding to support Mater Health convert a former Sisters of Mercy convent to accommodate the new “Catherine’s House” for mothers, babies and families.
The government is also providing more than $11 million in annual operational funding to Mater Health to run the new mother and baby unit at Catherine’s House.
“Our investment in Catherine’s House will help to meet the ever-growing demand for services from those impacted by perinatal mental health disorders,” the Minister said. “It will fund eight public inpatient rooms in Catherine’s House where mothers from across Queensland can stay with their babies while receiving treatment for severe perinatal mental health issues. “This will triple the number of public in-patient beds available in Queensland from four to twelve for mothers and babies in need of specialist mental health treatment. “The Palaszczuk Government is proud to partner with Mater Health in an Australia-first initiative to provide more mental health treatment and support to those in need.
“The funding we are providing for Catherine’s House is being delivered through our five-year $1.6 billion mental health plan, Better Care Together.
“There’s no better time to reiterate our commitment to mental health than during Perinatal Mental Health Week (6-12 November).” Mater Chief Executive Officer Dr Peter Steer said Catherine’s House for Mothers, Babies and Families is anticipated to open its doors to patients by mid-2023. “It has been co-designed by a team of perinatal health practitioners and parents with lived experience of depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges in the first year of their baby’s arrival,” Dr Steer said.
“Apart from providing a place where parents can stay with their babies while receiving care, Catherine’s House will also provide a parent support centre for mothers and babies up to six months after birth, a home-visiting service, individual and group therapy treatments and private psychiatry and psychology consultations.
“As Australia’s largest maternity services provider, these services ensure that the wellbeing of mothers and babies remains at the heart of Mater.”
