Fight to save Hillview hospital

By Michael Boswell

PERTH -- A community group fighting to save the Hillview adolescent psychiatric hospital has walked out of discussions with the Health Department. The Friends of CAPS (Child and Adolescent Services) president, Dr Harry Edgar, blames the “hidden agendas of the Health Department”.

Dr Edgar said the Health Department wants to “establish a lock-up unit at Bentley Hospital with funds released from the closure and sale of Hillview. The Bentley facility is necessary, [but] the closure of Hillview will mean a huge loss to the care of the young.” The hospital heritage site is worth between $2 and 3 million.

Hillview has attracted national and overseas interest. Recently the human rights commissioner's report on mental health facilities said, “It is a model service for treatment of child and adolescent psychiatric problems”.

Hillview helps 130 young people a year in two residential and one outpatient units. These youth have attempted suicide, have behavioural dysfunction or are victims of rape or family violence.

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