The operators of a hospital on the Sunshine Coast have detailed why they shut down a mental health rehabilitation ward.
Healthcare group Aurora has this month closed the doors to Eden Private Hospital’s Maple Ward at Cooroy, prompting a former patient to express her concerns about the future of mental health services in the region.
Rhiannon Greive said the shutdown could have significant ramifications for people who required assistance.
“This closure has raised serious concerns to patients who relied on this facility for treatment, me included,” she said.
She said it would place strain on “our already-stretched mental health system.”
Ms Greive, who recently had an almost five-month admission at Eden, warned that mental health problems could strike anyone and they would need support.
“I am a 31-year-old wife, mother and professional, who doesn’t fit the usual profile of what people describe when they think of a mental patient,” she said.
“Health issues don’t discriminate.”
Ms Greive connected with the unit years ago.
She has battled Major Depressive Disorder, is neurodivergent and has Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
“After months of insomnia and increasingly dark thoughts, I knew I had reached suicidal ideation,” she said.
“Nothing was working and I didn’t know how to turn off my brain.
“I told my husband and my psychiatrist that I felt as though I needed to go to some type of hospital or rehab.”
She said the unit provided crucial support with: 24-hour medical care from psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, GPs and social workers; medication management and monitoring; therapy; a safe environment; and a bridge to transition to community care.
She said there was speculation the ward was going to close, before she received confirmation via email from Aurora on February 22.
Aurora said, via a statement to Sunshine Coast News, that it was essentially forced to close the ward because of a lack of staff.
“In a strategic move responding to the pressing challenges of the current mental health professional shortage, Aurora Healthcare have decided to pivot back to Eden Private’s roots, focusing on rehabilitation and medical services.
“The hospital, a prominent healthcare provider in the region, is leveraging its extensive history of excellence in rehabilitation and medical care to address the needs of the community.”
Aurora said it had become too difficult to operate the ward, but it would still provide some mental health services, including a new program for current patients, along with its other services.
“Our commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare remains unwavering,” it said.
“However, the shortage of qualified mental health professionals has made it increasingly challenging to maintain the mental health inpatient services that we commenced during the COVID period.
“That said, we will continue to provide mental health day programs and we are excited to offer a new intensive mental health day program that will continue to support our existing mental health patients.”
Aurora said people who require intensive mental health support could be accommodated at a hospital in Brisbane.
“We will be collaborating with our partner Hospital Belmont Private in supporting patients who require inpatient hospitalisation,” it said.
It said the closure of the ward would enable it to focus on other elements at Eden.
“This strategic pivot allows us to redirect our resources where we can make the most significant impact on our patients’ health and well-being, resetting Eden Private as a 48-bed rehabilitation and medical hospital,” the statement said.
“The extensive rehabilitation and medical services offered by Eden Private Hospital include robotic assisted therapy (Tyro Motion Therapy).
“We use robotic-assisted therapy to supplement our conventional, pre-existing, multi-disciplinary rehabilitation therapy.
“The use of both robotic and traditional therapies enables our patients to experience the best possible therapeutic results within the shortest time possible.
“Eden Private Hospital is the only regional hospital combining robotic-assisted rehabilitation with traditional therapies.
“Inpatient rehabilitation therapy and day programs include cardiac/pulmonary rehabilitation, falls prevention, pain management, oncology rehabilitation, orthopedic rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation, trauma rehabilitation and reconditioning.
“Additionally, we will be increasing our inpatient palliative care service in partnership with Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service.
“This strategic move aims to build on our established reputation as a leader in rehabilitation and medical services and reaffirms our commitment to delivering exceptional care to the Sunshine Coast and Noosa Hinterland community.”
The hospital was purchased by Real Asset Management Group last year for $28.5 million. It was previously owned by New Zealand-based Vital Healthcare Property Trust.
The hospital is leased to Aurora Healthcare, which is regarded as one of Australia’s leading private healthcare providers.
Ms Greive, who lives in the Noosa area, said private clinics at Buderim and Caloundra had a waiting period for new patients and she believed the public system was “buckling under pressure”.
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