This article is featured in The Australian and is republished with permission.
Australia’s largest private hospital operator will close almost all of its community psychology clinics, in a move described by psychologists as “deeply concerning” and a further blow to patients and the nation’s mental health services.
Ramsay Health Care says 17 of its 20 community clinics will close by the end of August.
The group is also Australia’s largest private provider of psychology services. However, a spokesperson says none of its mental health inpatient hospital services will be affected.
“After careful consideration, we are transitioning Ramsay Psychology to a more flexible and sustainable model,” Ramsay Health Care said in a statement.
“Three clinics, in Cairns (Queensland), Charlestown (NSW) and Joondalup (Western Australia), will remain open to support local needs, maintain key partnerships and pilot more integrated models of care.”
That integrated model of care appears to be a transition to an expansion of its telehealth services, with Ramsay describing the decision as a reshaping of the way it delivers community-based mental healthcare to “better meet the evolving needs” of patients and clinicians.
“We understand this change might be unsettling and we are working closely with our psychologists to ensure every client is supported and has continuity of care, whether through our existing and expanded telehealth service or with another trusted provider, depending on what is clinically appropriate,” it said.
Ramsay says the change is part of its broader strategy to strengthen how it delivers “high-quality, accessible and connected care across hospital, home and virtual settings”.
A spokesperson for Health Minister Mark Butler says patients will still have access to virtual care and has urged Ramsay Health to communicate clearly with patients about their options.
“We know the choice of care is paramount for patients and some people may not wish to use virtual services,” the spokesperson said.
However, the peak body representing the industry is aghast. The Australian Psychological Society says it is “deeply concerned” by the closures and warns that without urgent reform, further closures will follow.
“This will be a significant loss for many Australians, and an indication of how close to breaking point Australia’s mental health system is,” Society chief executive officer Zena Burgess warns.
“Extreme psychology workforce shortages, paired with the cost-of-living crisis and government inaction, mean that Australians are increasingly unable to access potentially lifesaving mental health treatment – all at a time when demand for mental health support continues to climb.
“The closure of Ramsay Health Care’s psychology clinics will undoubtedly have a knock-on effect, forcing people in an already stretched system to have to find a new provider. Many Australians are already waiting weeks or months for care and the loss of these clinics will make access even harder, and lead to more Australians falling through the cracks of a broken system.”
Dr Burgess says the government must take rapid action to address what she describes as systemic challenges.
The Society wants higher rebates to be available and for psychologists to be responsible for determining how many Better Access Initiative psychology services a patient should receive.
It is also calling for bulk-billing incentives, equivalent to those provided for general practitioners, and for younger people to have more access to care with no out-of-pocket expenses.
Mr Butler’s spokesperson said the government is already expanding public mental health services and examining ways to better support private care.
“Last year, the government undertook a financial health check of private hospitals,” they said.
“We have since established the CEO Forum, which is looking at options to reform mental health services in private hospitals to ensure the viability of services into the future.”
This all comes as a further blow to the nation’s mental health sector, which is feeling the strain of high demand and workforce shortages.
Australia’s mental healthcare sector has come under increased scrutiny in recent years, with serious concerns previously flagged by mental health workers and a bitter dispute playing out in NSW seeing psychiatrists walk away from their jobs.