The move is a big deal coming from Ramsay Health Care–the largest private hospital operator in Australia. They intend to shutter 17 of their 20 psychology clinics nationwide by September. This decision raises deep concerns about the future of our nation’s mental health care. It needlessly places potentially thousands of these most vulnerable patients at risk of disruption to their care. The other three clinics will be located in Cairns, Charlestown, and Joondalup, but thousands of patients will be left hanging, looking for other options.
Eminent psychiatrist Dr. Patrick McGorry, former Australian of the Year, warned about consequences of these cuts. His testimony focused on the negative impact they could have on mental health services. He said the changes could increase the barriers to care that already exist in the mental health space. “We already have this access problem, with only 50 per cent of people who have a need for mental health care able to access it at all, and often after long delays,” Dr. McGorry stated. He cautioned that shutting the clinics will only exacerbate the crisis. More patients could rush back into a public sector that is already overburdened.
Concerns from Mental Health Professionals
The repercussions of these closures have released a floodgate of fear among mental health providers. The backlash was described by a Ramsay Health Care psychologist as their worst nightmare come true. They asked for anonymity because of rules against speaking on the record. “Clients are being left in limbo because they potentially are going to have to wait a month or two to see their regular psychologist if they are continuing on somewhere else, or they’re going to have to start all over again,” the psychologist explained.
The last comment by the unnamed psychologist went on to express the anger shared by many in the field. “This has been extremely frustrating because I’m trying to advocate for clients and for best client care, but it’s like words are falling on deaf ears,” she added. The worries expressed by this mental health professional underscore the importance of serving patients’ care needs during this disruption.
Dr. McGorry continued on with these thoughts, explaining how the closure would send patients into a harmful spiral. “The more clients are going through revolving doors, eventually, they just give up,” he remarked. These types of statements really emphasize the impact this will have on patient health and continuity of care.
Ramsay Health Care’s Response
In response to this backlash, Ramsay Health Care stated that it will continue to provide support to clients impacted. A spokeswoman for the organization stated, “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.” She emphasized that options would be provided either via new, in-person or expanded telehealth services, or referral to other trusted providers.
As an example, the spokeswoman explained that these changes fit into a larger strategy. This coordinated strategy is designed to improve Ramsay’s ability to consistently deliver high-quality, accessible care within its own facilities and beyond. “This change is part of Ramsay’s broader strategy to strengthen how we deliver high-quality, accessible and connected care across hospital, home and virtual settings,” she explained.
Dr. McGorry argued that this decision is a cause for concern over the direction of Australia’s mental health priorities. It risks sending a deeply troubling message to the American public. “I think this is not a good signal to be sending to the public,” he said, highlighting the broader implications for mental health service accessibility.
