Construction has started on a new six-bed residential parenting unit at St Johns Park in New Town.
The facility, to be run by the Child Health and Parenting Service, will more than double the current capacity of two beds available in southern Tasmania.
Tasmanian contractor Fairbrother is restoring the heritage-listed Parsonage building, which dates back to the 1830s.
Major construction works, including a new rear extension, are expected to take about nine months.
Health Minister Bridget Archer said the unit would allow mothers and babies to stay together while receiving intensive support.
“This is an important part of our plan to enhance early parenting support services right across the state,” she said.
The unit will help families with sleep, settling, feeding issues and perinatal mental health concerns in a home-like environment. Each room will have an attached nursery and shared spaces for visiting family members.
The $7.4 million project is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, with $3 million from the Commonwealth.
Federal Assistant Minister for Health Rebecca White said the investment would ensure families don’t face early parenting challenges alone.
“When parents get the support they need, their wellbeing improves, their babies thrive and families have a stronger start together,” she said.
The facility follows the opening of a four-bed unit in Launceston last month, which began taking admissions this week.
Combined, the state will now have 10 residential mother and baby beds.
CHaPS Nursing Director Trudy Steedman said the service would employ around 13 full-time equivalent staff, including child health nurses, registered and enrolled nurses with perinatal mental health experience, and a GP.
“We’re confident that it will be in Tasmania,” she said of workforce recruitment.
The unit is expected to open in September or October next year.
Minister Archer encouraged struggling parents to seek help from healthcare professionals, midwives or local CHaPS services while waiting for the new facility.
