News
Ramsay Health meets Mornington demand for mental health and alcohol addiction services
Oct 04, 2019
Construction will soon start on a new purpose-built facility to treat people with alcohol addiction and mental health disorders in the Mornington Peninsula.
The Ramsay Health Care Beleura Private Hospital will increase its capacity from 32 to 48 beds for the treatment of patients with mental health issues and alcohol addiction.
Beleura Private Hospital Nurse Unit Manager, Monique Nicolaou, said work was expected to start before Christmas and to be completed within 18 months.
In the lead up to Mental Health Awareness Week (October 5-11) Ms Nicolaou said demand for mental health and alcohol addiction services was on the increase with people coming from as far as South Australia and Queensland for treatment.
“We are the only private mental health facility with alcohol addiction services in the Mornington region and we also have medical practitioners from other states referring their patients to our relapse prevention clinics,” Ms Nicolaou said.
Ms Nicolaou said the alcohol addiction facility treated patients aged from 18 and many of those with alcohol dependency also had complex mental health issues.
More than 7 million Australians aged 16 to 85 will experience a common mental health disorder during their lifetime.
Ramsay Health Care Mental Health Chair Kevin Cass-Ryall said there has been a gradual increase in the number of older people (65+ years) and younger people (16+ years) seeking assistance for a mental health condition.
“Patients want more specialised treatment and a more holistic approach to their recovery, along with a care regime that draws on a multidisciplinary team,” he said.
“They are also increasingly looking for ways to receive treatment outside hospital to remove the need for them to stay overnight in a clinic. Ramsay is focusing on expanding in this area.”
Ramsay Health Care, Australia’s largest private provider of acute mental health services has compiled a list of its five most commonly treated mental health disorders to help raise awareness of the conditions:
| 1. Mood disorders |
Comprise 45 per cent of all patients treated.
Includes depression, bipolar disorder, dysthymia and other disorders characterised by the elevation or lowering of mood. |
| 2. Addictions |
Comprise 25 per of all patients treated.
Physical and emotional dependence on substances or behaviours which may include drugs, alcohol, gambling and/or gaming. |
| 3. Anxiety Disorders |
Comprise 15 per cent of all patients treated.
Symptoms can include muscular tension, heart palpitations, inability to concentrate, sleep or undertake normal activities and a feeling of intense fear and persistent and excessive worry. |
4. PTSD
(Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) |
Comprise 10 per cent of all patients treated.
A set of stress reactions in response to experiencing witnessing a life-threatening event such as an attack or assault, wartime conflict, natural disaster or serious accident. Symptoms may include re-experiencing the traumatic event, avoidance of any reminders, hyper-vigilance and feeling emotionally numb. |
| 5. Psychotic Disorders |
Comprise 5 per cent of all patients treated.
An impaired interpretation of reality commonly associated with hallucinations and delusions |
Source: Ramsay Health Care