Mental health hospital redevelopment gets underway
20 May 2022
The $60 million redevelopment of St John of God Richmond Hospital will deliver contemporary mental health care that builds connection, improves lives and transforms the way care is provided.
It will transform the facility into a modern mental health campus, featuring all single rooms, a wellness centre and indoor pool.
Importantly, the historic Belmont House, will again become a highlight of the new campus.
Site works are expected to start in June and anticipated to be complete in late 2023. Care and treatment will continue throughout the redevelopment.
St John of God Richmond Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Colman O’Driscoll, said it was pleasing to be able to appoint the builder, a well-known and experienced construction company, to start this major transformation.
“It is an exciting moment to start this redevelopment which will transform our care and the experience for clients and their families, enabling us to better respond to community and clients’ needs when seeking mental health care,” he said.
“Not only is our capacity increasing but the entire experience will be elevated for clients with private rooms, and an on-site wellness centre featuring gym, indoor pool and fitness studio.
“We are also separating treatment spaces from accommodation spaces so that clients can heal and recover in environments that are conducive to their needs.”
Mr O’Driscoll said the hospital’s treatment programs would be updated alongside the redevelopment so they could better connect with clients and integrate care with everyday activities, as well as support mental and physical wellbeing.
“The campus will provide a sanctuary atmosphere that inspires confidence, trust and promotes empowerment through the delivery of excellent care in an exceptional environment,” Mr O’Driscoll said.
“We want to help people overcome the disconnection and isolation that is so often experienced by those impacted by mental ill-health and assist in reconnecting to family, friends and their communities so that they can realise their potential and live their best life.”
About the redevelopment
- 112 private rooms
- Accommodation pavilions separate from treatment spaces to allow patients to heal and recover
- A wellness centre containing gym, indoor pool and massage room
- Refurbishment of some existing buildings including administration facilities
- Preservation of the historic Belmont House, which will become the highlight of the new campus design
About St John of God Richmond Hospital
St John of God Richmond Hospital, NSW, provides inpatient and outpatient mental health programs for a range of conditions, and is a national leader in the treatment of traumatic stress injuries.
St John of God Richmond Hospital is part of St John of God Health Care, one of the largest Catholic providers of health care services in Australia, and a major mental health provider. We operate three specialist mental health hospitals in New South Wales and Victoria St John of God Richmond and Burwood Hospitals and St John of God Pinelodge Clinic; provide a comprehensive public service including adult mental health at St John of God Midland Hospital, WA; and operate a specialist older adult ward on behalf of the state government at St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital, WA.
We also provide accommodation services to people with mental health issues in Sydney; offer free community mental health services at seven locations across Australia; operate publicly funded drug and alcohol counselling services; and provide free counselling and psychiatric and services for families experiencing perinatal depression at 17 locations across Australia through St John of God Social Outreach.
For more information about St John of God Richmond Hospital please visit sjog.org.au/richmond