The Victorian Government has pledged $34 million for the construction of a new 54-bed acute mental health facility at Werribee’s Mercy Hospital.

The new 54-bed, two storey acute mental health facility was announced earlier this week by Premier Denis Naphine and State Minister for Mental Health Mary Wooldridge.

“This funding will allow the construction of a new two-storey acute mental health facility, with a floor area of more than 4,400 square metres,” Dr Napthine said.

“The new facility will include 54 beds – an increase of 25 – comprising 50 adult inpatient mental health beds, including 10 High Dependency Unit beds plus an additional four Psychiatric Assessment and Planning Unit beds.

The new facility is expected to be opened in 2016, and will replace the existing mental health building in the same location.