The first phase of the two-phase transformation project at Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) main mental health facility has been completed. Phase one has provided the facility with a modern new entrance, an expanded car park and a spacious office block.
Once complete, phase two of the transformation project, will see the development of a purpose-built 65-bed extension with single ensuite rooms and the redevelopment of the current building to provide a further 31 beds and central activity and education space.
“I am delighted to see the progress being made on the transformation project at our Salwa Road facility. Providing access to high-quality mental health services is a key priority of Qatar’s National Health Strategy 2018 to 2022 and it is essential that our expert mental health teams are able to deliver care to patients in advanced facilities,” said Mahmoud al- Raisi, Chief of Continuing Care at HMC.
“The completion of the project by early 2022 will result in significantly expanded capacity at Qatar’s main facility for specialist mental health services while also ensuring patients are cared for in a modern environment that is conducive to healing,” added al-Raisi.
HMC’s main mental health facility provides a range of specialist inpatient and outpatient services for patients with mental health conditions requiring treatment in acute and sub-acute phases.
“We have worked hard in recent years to expand the number of mental health services delivered across HMC’s hospital network. We now run Consultation Liaison Services in all HMC hospitals as well as Integrated Physical and Mental Health Clinics in multiple locations including Heart Hospital, Communicable Disease Center, Hamad General Hospital, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Qatar rehabilitation center, Ambulatory Care Center, Women’s Wellness and Research Center.
"We have also opened beds for patients requiring mental health care in our general hospitals to improve access and integrate mental health services with physical healthcare services. This will decrease the stigma and improve awareness about mental health between healthcare professionals,” explained Dr. Majid al-Abdulla, Chairman of HMC’s Mental Health Service.
“In addition to the expansion of services across our system, we recently started expanding and upgrading our existing facilities. This project will upgrade our inpatient facility and almost double capacity. It will also provide a more pleasant and healing environment with green space to match international standards. These new developments are supported by expert mental health specialists so our patients can receive the care they need in the best possible healthcare environment,” added Dr al- Abdulla.
“One of our main targets is to establish dedicated services for specialist groups of patients, including forensic patients, those with learning disabilities, children and adolescents and chronic long-term patients. This new development will enable us to provide these services in a much more appropriate environment that is separate from the main patient group, tailored in a way that will suit their specific needs and expectations,’’ explained Dr al-Abdulla.

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