tage one of the project is due for completion in October 2013, and will double the size of the intensive care unit, special care baby nursery and birthing suites.
The second stage, involving refurbishment of existing buildings and expansion of the mental health unit, and is due to be completed by March 2015.
THE criminal trial for a mother-of-six charged with the starving murder of her 18-month twins more than three years ago had been adjourned to refer her case to Queensland's Mental Health Court.
The mother, 33, and the twins' 31-year-old father were scheduled to stand trial in Brisbane's Supreme Court on Monday on two counts each of murdering the toddlers, a boy and a girl, and failing to provide them with the necessities of life.
However, lawyers for the mother requested the proposed 10-day trial be adjourned so her case could be sent to the Mental Health Court - which is presided over by a Supreme Court judge.
Barrister Soraya Ryan, for the mother, said at the time of the toddlers died the mum was suffering a major depressive illness which rendered her "inert" and not responsible for her actions of killing the children.
"(The mother) maintains she had no intention to kill (the toddlers)," Mrs Ryan said.
"At the time she was suffering a major depressive illness and ... (and was) unable to control her actions."LOCKYER Valley MP Ian Rickuss says he will use parliamentary question time to lift the veil of secrecy surrounding a potentially alarming rise in flood-related suicides in the region.
Several sources claim more than 20 people in flood-affected areas may have taken their own lives in the wake of the disaster and amid subsequent insurance disputes.
AS the Gold Coast's new hospital nears completion, mental health services are being overhauled to fit into the new surrounds.
Mental Health Services executive director Karlyn Chettleburgh has assured the community that help for inpatients and community-based patients will still be available when the new hospital is completed in December 2012.
Brisbane resident John Fox’s efforts to help people suffering from mental ill-health have been acknowledged with a major Queensland Disability Action Week Award.
Disability Services Minister Curtis Pitt presented Mr Fox with the Individual Award for community services, recognising his work in a support group for people affected by mental health issues.
Mr Pitt said Mr Fox, 82, started the support group in 2000 and now heads up 70 volunteers helping 90 people.
“Mr Fox started his Group 61 program soon after a chance encounter with a man with mental health issues,” he said.
Ministerial Media StatementsAccording to the most recent data, the rate of indigenous suicide for people aged 34 and under in the town was 887 per 100,000 population.
The national rate for indigenous suicide in the same age group was 39 per 100,000 population.
People with severe mental illnesses are over three times more likely to lose their teeth because of poor oral health than the general population, University of Queensland researchers have foun
The research, published in the September issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry, shows that psychiatric patients have not shared in recent improvements in dental health and the researche have called for free dental care for people with severe mental illne
The problem has become such a regular occurrence that concerned hospital staff have given the patients a name - the "centurions", doctors say.
One recent psychiatric patient spent 158 hours - just 10 hours short of a week - in emergency awaiting admission because of a shortage of mental health beds at the hospital.
Cairns Base Hospital anaesthetist Sandy Donald, a senior vice-president with Queensland public sector union, Together, said the emergency department was an inappropriate place to care for mental health patient
