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Federal Health Minister opens new mental health development at Albert Road Clinic

October 19, 2018

People living with mental illness will benefit from a major multi-million dollar expansion of accommodation and enhanced access to services at Albert Road Clinic.

The Federal Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, has officially opened the new three storey development.

The site houses an additional 58 mental health beds in private rooms with ensuites, bringing the total number of beds for mental health patients to 128.

Albert Road Clinic provides mental health care for inpatients and outpatients, as well as comprehensive community-based services.

Specialist treatment services at Albert Road Clinic include:
• Adolescent Service (for 13 – 22 years of age)
• Seniors Service (for 65+ years of age)
• Addictions Service (Rehabilitation and Relapse Prevention)
• Day Programs (e.g. Managing Mood, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy)
• Adult inpatient services for acute psychiatric intervention
• Outreach (clinician visits the patient at home)

Additional refurbishment works have also been undertaken including existing patient accommodation, group rooms, day program facilities, administration offices and reception.

Albert Road Clinic CEO, Ms Jane Pickworth, said the newly expanded facility is a major boost for private mental health services in Victoria.

“With 1 in 5 Australians experiencing mental illness every year, it is important to talk about these issues and provide people with support and high-quality treatment options through experienced clinicians in a caring environment,” Ms Pickworth said.

Working with more than 100 accredited psychiatrists and other medical specialists, the facility also supports onsite specialist consulting suites and the Ramsay Health Care Professorial Psychiatry Unit.

Ramsay Health Care Professor of Psychiatry, Malcolm Hopwood said mental illness is the third leading cause of disability and burden in Australia.

“One of the biggest challenges for patients and health professionals is finding the best ways to implement good models of “stepped care” – so patients get the care they need in a timely way. I welcome the addition of new beds and enhancement of services at Albert Road Clinic, especially during Victorian Mental Health Month,” Professor Hopwood said.

Federal Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, said it was encouraging to see Australia’s largest private hospital operator committing to improving access to mental health services in the community.

“It is with great pleasure that I officially open the new development at Albert Road Clinic, which will now have the ability to cater for more Victorians – from adolescents to the elderly – who seek treatment for their mental health needs.”

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