162 patients at St Giles Hospital gain new therapeutic space

St Giles Hospital which is currently home to 162 patients — including 50 long-term residents needing extended psychiatric care and 72 acute patients requiring urgent intervention - received a major boost in their care environment with the official commissioning of the newly renovated Kind Hearts Hall.

While speaking at the commissioning, Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu says this brings them a step closer to achieving a healthy population — and that includes those receiving mental health care.

He says the national psychiatric hospital provides outpatient care to over 850 people monthly, with a consistently high 95 per cent bed occupancy rate.

He adds that many of these patients rely on access to therapeutic spaces like Kind Hearts Hall for recovery, rehabilitation, and social connection.

The Minister says that built in 1884, St Giles Hospital has long carried the burden of outdated stigma — from its high stone walls to the image of isolation and silence.

He acknowledged the efforts of the St Giles Board of Visitors in changing this perception and in trying to create a supportive environment that facilitates holistic well-being for patients.

The renovation, valued at over $90,000, was fully funded by Shop and Save Supermarket and carried out in three phases.

The Minister also highlighted the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to mental health services, noting a sharp increase in demand over the past five years.

He says that to address this, the Ministry has ramped up investments in infrastructure, training, and service delivery at St Giles.

He adds that in addition to the Kind Hearts Hall renovation, five smaller projects were completed in 2023 at a cost of $113,000 -these included upgrades to the hospital’s access road, gate, and water tank base, as well as renovations to the Outpatient Department, SOPD, and Emergency Department.

The Minister is urging other businesses and individuals to join the Ministry in supporting and addressing mental health challenges within our communities.