The closure of Queensland's only long-term residential youth mental health facility has been criticised by an official inquiry, which found the former health minister was poorly advised and inadequate records were kept.

Key points: Three patients took their lives within eight months of the centre's closure

Three patients took their lives within eight months of the centre's closure Commission criticises Newman government's decision to close facility

Commission criticises Newman government's decision to close facility Current Labor Government says it will build new treatment centre

The Barrett Centre was closed under the Newman government in 2014, which also scrapped plans to build a replacement in-patient facility.

Within eight months of the closure, teenagers Will Fowell, Talieha Nebauer and Caitlin Wilkinson-Whiticker took their own lives.

Commissioner Margaret Wilson QC said former health minister Lawrence Springborg was poorly advised when he chose to redirect funds away from the facility.

The commission also found no one person or entity assumed responsibility or accountability for the decision-making processes about the centre's closure.

Other criticisms included inadequate briefing notes, record-keeping and communication with patients, families and staff.

Commissioner Wilson said plans for a replacement centre were dumped in 2012 because of cost and planning pressures.

"Before that was done there was no analysis of the needs of the young people who accessed the Barrett Adolescent Centre, no express consideration of how those young people would be cared for, no consultation with specialist child psychiatrists and no community consultation," she said.

"Those who wanted the centre closed, pressed ahead."

Commissioner Wilson said the centre also had flaws while it operated.

She said it was "geographically and clinically isolated", its accommodation was not purpose-built and some patients remained at the centre for too long.

The commission did not find evidence that patient safety or confidentiality laws were broken, however its report was critical of government employees.

Ms Wilson criticised some arrangements at the centre and the decision to close it. ( AAP: Dan Peled )

No wrongdoing by previous health minister: Langbroek

The Queensland Opposition has slammed the report as a "political witch hunt".

In a statement, the LNP's health spokesman John-Paul Langbroek said the report tried "to apportion blame rather than investing money into adolescent mental health".

He also said the report did not suggest wrongdoing by the previous health minister, Mr Springborg.

"His decision was made in line with the advice provided to him at the time," Mr Langbroek said.

"The commission has acknowledged that the model of care being provided by the Barrett Centre was not best practice.

"Labor had already sealed the fate of the Barrett Centre in 2008 and had not left a model of acceptable care."

Government pledges to build new facility

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the State Government would build a new treatment and rehabilitation centre.

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An implementation plan will be prepared by the end of September, with the cost, size, location, and model of care yet to be determined.

Health Minister Cameron Dick said prior to the release of Commissioner Wilson's report, Queensland Health had made improvements to mental health services for adolescents.

Ms Palaszczuk said the call to close the Barrett Centre was "a bad decision with far-reaching consequences".

"It was a decision made with inadequate advice and without proper consultation with the families of patients," she said.

"There was pressure placed upon the former health minister to find savings of between $100 and $120 million and, as part of the budget savings, this centre was closed.

"There is a lot to be said in relation to his [Mr Springborg's] decision-making records.

"I'm not scoring any political points here, fundamentally this is about the young people."

Recommendations from inquiry Consider building new youth mental health service, including bed-based services

Consider building new youth mental health service, including bed-based services Review laws that established the devolved Hospital and Health Service model in Queensland Health

Review laws that established the devolved Hospital and Health Service model in Queensland Health Improve transitions for adolescents moving into adult mental health services

Improve transitions for adolescents moving into adult mental health services Improve service agreements Queensland Health uses to contract services provided by non-government organisations

Improve service agreements Queensland Health uses to contract services provided by non-government organisations Improve the availability and use of evaluations to inform clinical interventions in mental health

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