Athalassa hospital changes will be ‘historic moment of progress for mental health services’

The new mental health centre planned for Athalassa psychiatric hospital will be a “historic moment of progress” for mental health services, state health services (Okypy) said on Friday.

Tenders for the first phase of the project were invited last week, with plans to expand the existing psychiatric hospital with new wards and improved infrastructure.

The project falls under the public health ‘pillar’ of the recovery plan, and the health ministry’s actions to improve, modernise and upgrade state hospitals. It will take €7,639,000 from the recovery fund and is expected to be completed by 2023.

The second phase of the project will raise the total budget to around €40 million.

On the occasion of the tender competition, Okypy executive director Christis Loizides said that the first phase of the project will be a historic moment of progress, which will upgrade the facilities and services offered for those with mental health problems.

“For us at Okypy, it is vital to strengthen our collective mental health across the age and geographical spectrum, through quality services and of course through upgrading our hospitals, which is a top priority,” he said.