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The Centre reached another significant milestone this week, with the release of the tender to identify a lead agency to establish and operate the centre.

During the 2019 Federal election, the Morrison Government committed over $14 million into the Penrith centre as part of the Morrison Government’s 2019-20 Prioritising Mental Health budget measure.

“I committed to delivering the funding for this Adult Mental Health Centre because I know the positive impact it will have on the health and wellbeing of our community here in Lindsay,” Ms McIntosh said.

“Mental health issues don’t discriminate, they can impact anyone at any time. We all lead busy lives and this centre will provide the opportunity for people in our community to access after-hours support and take pressure off our local emergency departments.”

“The release of tender today marks the beginning of the process to ensure the Centre delivers the best outcomes for local people, and I encourage people to engage with the public consultation.”

Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, congratulated the local community for taking this next step in the building process.

“The Australian Government has made mental health and suicide prevention a national priority, and is working in partnership with the States and Territories to drive meaningful and lasting reform in this important area,” Minister Hunt said.

“But this doesn’t just happen at the national level, meaningful change is driven at the local level. “Melissa has worked hard for her community here in Lindsay and this Centre is a testament to her continued advocacy.”

“We want Australians to receive the help, support and care they need where and when they need it and this centre will help the local community for many years to come.”

NBMPHN CEO, Lizz Reay said, “We are excited to be moving into this new phase of the project and to find a suitable partner to operate this service. Through the challenges on 2020, we contributed at a national level to the development of a service model for the centres and are pleased that we have now been provided with the funding to start planning for the centre locally.”

“A crucial element of this tender is the requirement that the chosen organisation work with us and the community in the planning and co-design of the service to ensure it meets the needs of our local community. People with lived experience, their carers and families will be key to the design of this centre,” she continued.

“Essential to what we do as a PHN, and as a regional health planning and funding body, is knowing our region and understanding the primary healthcare needs of our community. In designing the model for this innovative service, it’s important that the needs of our community is taken into consideration and that the model is tailored to suit our local region,” she said.

“Our intension is that this centre will be a safe, friendly and welcoming hub for individuals experiencing emotional or psychological distress and for the loved ones and carers who support them. People will be assisted to navigate and connect with other local primary, state social and community services as needed, ensuring there is an integrated and individualised approach the person’s ongoing care,” said Ms Reay.

The Request for Proposal from interested organisations closes on Friday 23 April at 3pm. More information and links to the tender documentation is available on Wentworth Healthcare’s website at www.nbmphn.com.au/tenders

“We know that community and health industry consultation is very important to the design of this centre and there will be opportunity for people to provide input in the coming months.

“You can register your interest in being involved in the consultation process through HealthHub, our community consultation platform here. Anyone can register to be involved,” said Ms Reay.