The Hobart Clinic is an important mental health resource. It has finally named a new board that’s pledged to reopen the clinic, ending months of limbo. The clinic, which employs around 100 staff, had once already been slated for shutdown. Then the state government intervened with a $2 million transitional funding deal. This support was instrumental in stopping the clinic’s decommissioning process and pivoting towards a sustainable future.
Tim Booker, the newly elected chair of the board, promised the staff that they would have support from the board during the transition. He stressed that the board is 110% behind the staff. He underscored their importance, not only to patient care, but to the clinic’s overall function. The new leadership aims to reopen the facility within weeks, ensuring that it meets safety and compliance standards before admitting patients.
Focus on Staff and Compliance
During the tour, Mr. Booker stressed the importance of staff buy-in during the reopening process. From the initial feedback, he noted that there was an overwhelming preference among employees to remain with The Hobart Clinic. They delayed other employment opportunities, clinging to the promise of the clinic’s return.
“A lot of staff are very happy with this news and have put off taking up other jobs in the hope that the clinic could be saved.” – Tim Booker
He continued that these employees are essential to the continued success of the clinic and will be provided with continued employment. “They are the engine room of the hospital,” Booker said, reinforcing the board’s commitment to ensuring job security for the dedicated team.
One part of Mr. Booker’s plan zeroed in on keeping staff influx. He was equally adamant that the clinic needed to be a place where superior care was delivered. “What we’re not prepared to do is reopen the clinic until we’re really confident that it’s safe, compliant, and able to operate in a way that delivers excellent care for patients,” he stated.
Financial Support and Future Plans
The State Growth Department’s $2 million funding will enable The Hobart Clinic to operate for six months while developing a new sustainable business model. This funding is a huge lifeline for the facility, which was about to close.
Mr. Booker revealed plans to seek an additional $400,000 for a feasibility study aimed at crafting a long-term operational model. This would be the first step towards bringing in experts to figure out how to carve out a long term, sustainable future for the clinic.
“The $400,000 was really to say, ‘let’s get a really well-resourced plan with the right experts to say how do we create a sustainable model into the future looking at infrastructure and clinic model and overall revenue mix,’” – Tim Booker
The new board’s strategy dovetails with plans already well underway to get strong support through continued negotiation with both state and federal governments, aiming for more deliverables. MDOT Board member Michael Lumsden-Steel shed light on a missed opportunity. Now is the time for visionary and enterprising clinicians to lead the way in designing the services of the future.
“Critically we see this as an opportunity to reset, with clinician leadership and engagement [so] we can provide the services needed for patients.” – Michael Lumsden-Steel
Leadership Changes and Next Steps
Returning champion Dr. Hannah Lake! She served in this role before resigning in late 2022. Her institutional knowledge and understanding of the clinic’s operations will be critical as it enters this new chapter.
As recently as last week, there was cause for celebration, as The Hobart Clinic celebrated its final discharge of a patient before the clinic’s upcoming temporary closure. The new board seems determined to speed up plans to reopen but still follow all of the protocols that have to be followed.
Bridget Archer, speaking on behalf of state interests, promised continued work on behalf of those interests with the new board. “We continue to work with the board to ensure patients and staff have certainty,” she stated.
The clinic’s new leadership is hopeful that they can continue the positive momentum and keep The Hobart Clinic thriving. Now that the plans are being developed, the emphasis is on providing vital mental health services with care and safety in mind. Simultaneously, they keep these services sustainable over the long term.
