Released 17/07/2018
The University of Canberra Hospital (UCH) has started treating its first patients, as services spread across the Territory move into Canberra’s new dedicated hospital for rehabilitation and recovery.
Minister for Mental Health and Acting Minister for Health and Wellbeing Shane Rattenbury said this is a landmark day for patients who are being admitted to the new hospital for dedicated rehabilitation and mental health care.
“These patients are the first to experience the new model of care that brings all the services they need under one roof at UCH,” Minister Rattenbury said.
“Moving these services into a modern, dedicated facility from seven different locations across the ACT will provide better care and support, streamline appointments and save patient travel time.
“UCH delivers the best possible healing environment, away from the acute setting of a hospital.
“The specialised services at the hospital support Canberrans through their recovery with individually tailored care and programs for both overnight and day patients.”
Rehabilitation and mental health services from Canberra Hospital, Calvary and Brian Hennessy Rehabilitation Centre are now located at UCH and there will be more than 300 ACT Health staff working at UCH.
From 10 July, the hospital started providing adult mental health day services and Rehabilitation, Aged and Community Care services for outpatients, including:
- physiotherapy
- occupational therapy
- falls assessment and prevention, and
- vocational assessment.
Hydrotherapy, Rehabilitation Geriatric Medical Clinics and Rehab Speech Pathology and Psychology will begin at the new hospital from Monday 23 July onwards. It is expected all patient services will have transferred across by early August.
“UCH is an important part of the evolution of our public health system, which will continue as our city grows and our community continues to grow older.
“This new facility – focusing solely on rehabilitation services and support for people with neurological conditions, recovering from surgery, or with mental health conditions – will go a long way to meeting the current and future demands of our city.
“I look forward to seeing patients settle in as our third hospital ramps up towards full operation over the coming months,” said Minister Rattenbury.
The University of Canberra Hospital does not have an Emergency Department. In an emergency call 000 or go directly to your nearest Emergency Department at Calvary Public Hospital in Bruce or Canberra Hospital in Garran.
For more information about the services and facilities at UCH visit: www.health.act.gov.au/uch
- Statement ends -
Shane Rattenbury, MLA | Media Releases
Media Contacts
| Name | Phone | Mobile | |
|---|---|---|---|
Jen Faerber |
(02) 6205 3897 |
0481 035 764 |