Town’s psychiatric unit to take involuntary patients, avoiding forced trip to capital city

KIMBERLEY mental health patients who need acute care will now be able to access the support they require after Broome’s Acute Psychiatric Unit was authorised to receive involuntary patients.

The Mabu Liyan APU, part of the recently opened $9.4 million Broome Mental Health Unit, will now be able to accept patients from the Kimberley and Pilbara.

Mental Health Minister Helen Morton said the authorisation marked an important milestone in the expansion of mental health services in the regions, and patients could be treated closer to home.

“Previously, involuntary patients had to be transferred to Perth, a long and potentially distressing journey further away from friends and family,” she said.

Mrs Morton said the unit had 10 beds, two secure, with capacity to be increased by four beds by mid-2013.

The unit will be fully integrated with Broome Regional Hospital and managed by the Kimberley Mental Health and Drug Service.