New Apsley Unit welcomes its first patients

This week Thomas Embling Hospital officially welcomed its first patients into the new Apsley Unit. The 8-bed secure intensive psychiatric care unit will provide short-term treatment for severely unwell prisoners. The unit will be integral in reducing wait times for male prisoners requiring compulsory treatment under the Mental Health Act 2014.

Apsley’s design

Apsley is a state-of-the-art short-term unit that will provide a calming space to assist patients in their mental health recovery journey. The unit features contemporary designs, providing patients with a safe, recovery-focused, highly-secure therapeutic environment.

Apsley patients will be treated by an experienced team of specialist multi-disciplinary clinicians, using positive behaviour support treatment programs.

Apsley project partners

The new unit was delivered as part of a package of works at Thomas Embling Hospital funded by the Victorian Government to provide additional beds to the hospital. An additional 10 beds and expanded living spaces were also delivered across existing units at the hospital late 2018 and a further two beds will be delivered later this year.

The expansion was delivered in partnership with the Department of Justice and Community Safety and the Department of Health and Human Services, Victorian Health and Human Services Building Authority.

Forensicare would like to thank MAAP Architects, Design Inc and Kane Construction for their contribution to the project’s success.

Apsley is Thomas Embling Hospital’s first major service expansion since its opening in 2000.