The money will fund an extra 12 beds at the Chisholm Ross acute mental health facility and improved patient and staff areas.

Parliamentary secretary for regional health, Melinda Pavey MLC and Member for Goulburn Pru Goward revealed the details on site. Ms Pavey told the Post the extra beds would meet an identified need, expressed not just by health professionals but police.

But the NSW Nurses Association, while welcoming the extra services, is concerned about staffing. For the Southern NSW Local Health District’s mental health director David West, the project has been a long time coming.

“We’ve been doing preparatory plans on this for a year to 18 months but we recognised the need for additional beds in the last 10 years,” Mr West said.

“We have several high growth areas in our region, such as Queanbeyan and the south coast and we don’t have enough beds for the expanding population.

“It is excellent news and will enable us to provide better care and manage people locally. That’s a good thing for patients and their families.”

Chisholm Ross has operated with 20 beds since it was built in the early 1990s. The 12 extra beds will include six acute and six high dependency.

Formerly, it had three high dependency beds. Tenders will be called next month on the work which also includes: improvements to staff station design and layout, internal layout, better meal areas for patients; increased activity areas for patients; increased bathroom facilities; additional interview rooms; expanded staff office accommodation and records space; and landscaping.

The additional space means staff from the mental health emergency care service and medical records can relocate from Clifford House. Mr West said Clifford House would be demolished to make way for additions.

Building will occur on three fronts; a new wing incorporating patient rooms on the northeast, taking in part of the courtyard; on the Clifford/Faithfull St corner and to the north. The health service is aiming for a June 2012 completion. NSW Public Works is the project manager.

Ms Pavey said demand was the main driver.

For the full story, please see the print edition of the Goulburn Post.