30 January 2026 

Construction of a new adolescent mental health unit at Nepean Hospital is complete, with the unit expected to open mid-2026. 

The purpose-built unit, delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $700 million Statewide Mental Health Infrastructure Program, will provide specialist mental healthcare to young people aged 12-17 years in Penrith and the Blue Mountains. 

The unit features: 

• 10 single bedrooms with ensuites. 

• Light-filled communal areas and secure outdoor courtyards. 

• Specialised clinical spaces, including a sensory room and a media room. 

• Learning and recreational spaces to help young people maintain their routine. 

• A dedicated carer’s suite, recognising the vital role families play in recovery. 

The unit’s design is the result of thoughtful collaboration with young people, their families and carers, ensuring the environment is able to provide the best care to meet their unique needs. 

Member for Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle said:  

“This unit is sorely needed in our local health district, and people will be queueing up to use this service when it opens. 

“I am grateful that Blue Mountains families will have access to this crucial service.”  

Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said:   

“This is more than just new beds in a hospital – it is a dedicated recovery space for young people in their most vulnerable moments. It’s so important to have a dedicated and supportive space for young people and their families to access specialised, age-appropriate mental health care that is tailored to their needs. 

“The new Nepean Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit will bring care closer to home for people in the Nepean and Blue Mountains regions and will strengthen the network of youth focused mental health services for Western Sydney. 

“The completion of the new unit at Nepean Hospital marks a key milestone in the NSW Government’s commitment to improving access to high-quality mental health services across the state.” 

Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District Director of Mental Health, Matthew Russell said: 

“With the establishment of this new unit, we continue to grow and strengthen mental health care options for young people in the district. 

“Created in partnership with young people and their carers, this new unit shows our dedication to providing mental health care that is flexible, compassionate, and family-focused.”