Refurbished Southport Mental Health Space Welcomes Consumers 2026

Key Points

• Level 5 of the Southport Health Precinct has seen the relocation of the Acute Care Community Team from Gold Coast Health.
• This team has been relocated from Level 7 and will now be accepting clients at the renovated premises.
• The renovation process has involved adding more interview rooms, telehealth rooms, a renovated waiting area, and staff rooms.
• Acute Care Community Team offers short-term assessment and follow-up services for individuals with acute mental health presentations, such as presentations at an emergency department.
• Various artwork and photography pieces by the Gold Coast Health employees have been added throughout the building; examples include artwork by Vernon Armstrong and Rachel Jack.
• Referrals can be made post an emergency department presentation or via Gold Coast Health’s mental health intake services.
• Follow-up can either occur via home visits or appointments at the Southport Health Precinct or even through telehealth.

Southport (Liverpool standard) October 21, 2026 — Gold Coast Health’s Acute Care Community Team has begun welcoming consumers to a refurbished mental health space on Level 5 at Southport Health Precinct, after relocating from Level 7.

The updated space forms part of Gold Coast Health’s “Building for the Future” program and is intended to support community mental health care through improved clinical, waiting and telehealth facilities.

According to Gold Coast Health, the refurbishment includes additional interview rooms, dedicated telehealth rooms and refreshed waiting and staff areas. The health service says the changes are designed to make appointments more comfortable for consumers and their families while giving clinicians more capacity to see people face to face.

What Has Changed at Southport Health Precinct?

The Acute Care Community Team’s new Level 5 location includes more interview rooms than its previous space. Gold Coast Health says these rooms have been designed to accommodate a consumer, family members, a doctor and, where required, an additional clinician.

Dedicated telehealth rooms have also been introduced. These provide a private setting for remote appointments, allowing the team to continue consultations with consumers who do not attend the precinct in person.

The waiting area has been refreshed with artwork, natural light and comfortable furnishings. Reception staff welcome consumers and families into the space.

Staff areas have also been updated. Gold Coast Health says the shared staff space is intended to support teamwork and communication among clinicians working in the service.

Who Uses the Acute Care Community Team?

The Acute Care Community Team provides short-term assessment and follow-up for people experiencing acute mental health concerns. Gold Coast Health says this includes people who have presented to an emergency department and require follow-up care after discharge.

The team also helps connect consumers with ongoing support. It works with each person to arrange follow-up appointments suited to their needs.

Those appointments may take place at Southport Health Precinct, in the consumer’s home, or through telehealth.

Referrals to the team can follow an emergency department presentation or come through Gold Coast Health’s mental health intake service. Individuals, family members, general practitioners and other services can contact the intake service to request support.

Why Was the Space Refurbished?

Gold Coast Health says the refurbished environment was designed with consumers at the forefront.

As reported by Gold Coast Health, Acute Care Community Team Leader Anna Newton said the new space supports both consumers and the team caring for them.

“For our community, it’s really lovely to have a space that’s been designed with consumers at the forefront,” Newton said.

“The interview rooms have enough space for a consumer and their family members, the doctor and an extra clinician if we need.

“The team always puts the consumer first. It’s really nice to be in a welcoming space, with more resources available to us to make that easier.”

Newton’s comments indicate that the additional room in the interview spaces is intended to allow family members and multiple clinicians to take part in consultations where appropriate.

How Will the New Rooms Affect Appointments?

Gold Coast Health says the greater number of interview rooms gives the team increased capacity to see consumers face to face.

Senior Mental Health Clinician Krisna Phillips said the waiting area and shared staff space had stood out as the team settled into the new location.

“To me, the waiting area feels calm and welcoming. I think it will help our community feel more at home, less like a clinic,”

Phillips said, as reported by Gold Coast Health.

“We feel more like a team. It’s an open space and we can see everyone.

“We have more interview rooms, which means we have a greater capacity to see consumers face to face.”

The dedicated telehealth rooms are intended to provide privacy for remote appointments. This means consumers who require follow-up but cannot attend in person may still be able to meet the team remotely.

What Artwork Features in the New Space?

The refreshed environment includes a mural and artwork by Gold Coast Health Registered Nurse and artist Vernon Armstrong. His artistic practice draws on traditional songlines and connections between land, people and culture.

Five works by Rachel Jack are displayed in the refreshed reception area. Jack is a Senior First Nations Health Worker at Gold Coast Health and a proud Wiradjuri woman with strong cultural connections to Kombumerri Country.

As reported by Gold Coast Health, Jack said the five selected artworks reflect relationships between people and the natural world.

“Each artwork reflects a different aspect of the natural environment and the deep relationship between people, land, water, animals and the changing seasons,”

Jack said.

Artworks and photographs by other Gold Coast Health staff members are also displayed. These works were previously featured or recognised through the health service’s staff art and photography competitions.

What Does the Move Mean for Consumers?

The move from Level 7 to Level 5 means consumers attending the Acute Care Community Team will now use the refurbished Level 5 space at Southport Health Precinct.

Gold Coast Health has not announced any change to the team’s clinical role, referral pathways or operating arrangements beyond the relocation and refurbishment.

The service says the team continues to provide short-term assessment and follow-up, and continues to help consumers connect with ongoing support.

Consumers, family members, GPs and other services can contact Gold Coast Health’s mental health intake service to request support or seek a referral.

Background of the Development

The Acute Care Community Team is part of Gold Coast Health’s mental health services. It provides short-term assessment and follow-up for people experiencing acute mental health concerns, including those who have attended an emergency department.

The team previously operated from Level 7 at Southport Health Precinct. It has now relocated to a refurbished Level 5 space within the same precinct.

The refurbishment forms part of Gold Coast Health’s “Building for the Future” program. The health service says the updated facility includes additional interview rooms, dedicated telehealth rooms and refreshed waiting and staff areas.

The space also incorporates artwork by Gold Coast Health staff, including a mural by Registered Nurse and artist Vernon Armstrong and five works by Senior First Nations Health Worker Rachel Jack. Other displayed works were previously featured or recognised through Gold Coast Health’s staff art and photography competitions.

Prediction: How May This Affect Consumers and Families?

For consumers on the Gold Coast, the refurbished space may make appointments with the Acute Care Community Team more comfortable and more flexible.

The additional interview rooms could allow more face-to-face consultations to take place, particularly where a consumer attends with family members or requires input from more than one clinician. The dedicated telehealth rooms may also make remote follow-up appointments more private and practical.

For families and carers, the larger interview rooms may make it easier to attend appointments alongside a relative. The refreshed waiting area, artwork and natural light may also create a less clinical environment for people arriving for assessment or follow-up.

For GPs and other referring services, the continued availability of home visits, precinct appointments and telehealth means referral and follow-up options remain varied. The team’s relocation does not appear to alter its purpose: providing short-term assessment, follow-up and connections to ongoing support for people experiencing acute mental health concerns.