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New home for community mental health services
17 February 2009
Three of the Hunter Valley’s key community mental health services have relocated under one roof, providing new benefits to clients.
The Hunter New England Mental Health services – including Hunter Valley Community Mental Health Service, Supported Recovery Hunter Valley and Specialist Mental Health Services for Older People – are now under the one roof in a refurbished office that was once the Harvey Norman retail store in High Street, Maitland.
Hunter Valley Mental Health Service Manager Merilyn Skorza said improved access, more integrated services and a less clinical environment are just some of the advantages to clients.
“The community mental health service was previously located in the grounds of Maitland Hospital, so one of the benefits for our clients is that the service is now based in the community and is not part of the hospital,” Ms Skorza said.
“One in five people are likely to experience some form of mental illness in their lifetime.
“Our move provides a less clinical environment for people living in the community with a mental illness.
“Co-locating these specialist services provides a holistic approach and a continuity of service for our clients in the Maitland and surrounding areas.
“But the main change for our clients is the new address at Unit 10, 555 High Street, Maitland, which is next to the Genesis gym, and our new telephone number – (02) 4939 2900.”
More than 40 staff across the three services – including psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists and administration staff – have moved to the new premises, which is at the opposite end of the Long Bridge from Maitland Hospital.
· Hunter Valley Community Mental Health Service provides a range of individualised services for people experiencing and recovering from mental illness. It provides mainly home-based support to more than 600 clients from around Maitland, the Coalfields, the Upper Hunter and Port Stephens.
· Specialist Mental Health Services for Older People covers a similar geographic area, providing assessment, consultation and case management to more than 70 people who are aged over 65 and living with a mental illness.
· Supported Recovery is part of the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Service, which aims to enhance opportunities for people with a mental illness to live with independence and dignity in the community. It serves the Maitland and Coalfields areas and currently has about 80 clients.
Contact: Frances Holz
Phone: 4939 2216
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