Hobart is set to lose 31 vital mental health beds with the closure of St Helen’s Private Hospital in June.
The hospital, which is owned by Healthscope, provides crucial drug and alcohol treatment services, inpatient mental health beds, and day-patient programs, as well as an eight-bed mother and baby unit for post-natal mental health problems.
The decision to close the facility was made after a review of maintenance costs, with Healthscope citing the high expenses required to replace the roof, electrical systems and hydraulics.
“We have operated in the heritage-listed building for as long as we can,” Healthscope CEO Greg Horan said.
“Unfortunately, this investment is not viable for Healthscope.”
The closure of the hospital has sparked concern among mental health advocates and parents who have used the mother-baby unit, while Labor and the Greens are calling on the state government to take action.
Labor has urged the government to announce a plan to support those in need of care after the closure, while the Greens have suggested that the government purchase the building from Healthscope and refurbish it to deliver high-quality services through the public system.
However, Tasmanian Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff has assured the public that work is underway to ensure people can still access mental health services despite the closure.
“As the only Mother Baby Unit in the State, it’s absolutely crucial we keep these services running for Tasmanian families so we’re going to be stepping in,” the Premier said.
“We’ll make sure the community still has access this vital support.”
The Premier also assured staff at St Helen’s Private Hospital that he is committed to providing those affected with employment opportunities in the Tasmanian Health Service.
It is understood the State Government will set up a public mother-baby unit within the Tasmanian Health Service and is working with non-government providers to meet additional patient demand for in-hospital services.
