16 December 2005

New forensic hospital for Long Bay Gaol

The delivery of a new $130 million forensic and prison hospital project on the site of Sydney's Long Bay Correctional Complex took a step forward today with the announcement of the preferred proponent for its construction.

Minister for Justice, Tony Kelly, and Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health), Cherie Burton made the announcement while inspecting the plans for the new hospitals with the Member for Maroubra Michael Daley.

PPP Solutions will design, build and finance the development of the hospitals and provide facilities management to the forensic hospital under a 28-year public private partnership arrangement with the NSW Government.

The contract will be signed before the end of the year and work is planned to start in May 2006 with the new facilities to accept patients by the middle of 2008.

The new Forensic and Prison Hospitals will comprise:

• a 135 bed Forensic facility, to be built on the site of the current prison hospital, to be operated by Justice Health on behalf of NSW Health; and
• an 85 bed prison hospital operated by the Department of Corrective Services (Justice Health will provide the clinical services for the hospital)

Ms Burton said the project was part of the Iemma Government's plan to improve mental health services across the State.

"This is a $130 million investment in the future of forensic and mental health facilities in NSW," Ms Burton said.

"The Forensic Hospital will treat patients in a hospital environment while the perimeter of the building is secured equal to that of a maximum security facility."

Mr Kelly said that inmates who became mentally ill would be able to receive appropriate treatment inside the perimeter of the Long Bay Correctional Complex.

"We want to make sure that inmates get the care they need in a secure environment," Mr Kelly said.

"This new facility will provide a range of services including a medical and surgical in-patient unit, meaning that inmates can receive medical attention within the Long Bay Correctional Complex."

The new prison hospital will be built adjacent to the Metropolitan Medical Transient Centre (MMTC). The MMTC currently provides a range of outpatient, ambulatory and primary care health services for inmates.

PPP Solutions comprises Babcock and Brown, Multiplex, Honeywell as Facility Manager and Medirest as soft services provider to the forensic hospital.

The project is being undertaken jointly between NSW Health, Justice Health and the Department of Corrective Services.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au