Safer mental health support for Victorian women

An Australian-first service will give Victorian women greater access to dedicated mental health support in Melbourne and Shepparton.

It will provide specialist care for those identifying as women with complex conditions, including those who present during the perinatal period and those with eating disorders.

The new Specialist Women's Mental Health Service (SWMHS) is a private-public partnership between Ramsay Health Care Australia, Alfred Health and Goulburn Valley Health, delivering on a key recommendation of the Royal Commission report into Victoria's mental health system.

The $100 million program will support more than 750 women per year, offering a mix of hospital and home-based care through Melbourne's Albert Road mental health clinic and Shepparton Private Hospital, both operated by Ramsay Health Care.

"Seeking mental health care should make people feel at their safest – but for too long, too many women have felt unsafe or threatened while getting treatment," Acting Victorian Premier and Minister for Mental Health James Merlino said in launching the service.

"We're putting an end to that with this Australian-first service, delivering sensitive, gender-specific care for women who need acute support."

Ramsay Health Care will supply 35 acute inpatient and home-based mental health beds to deliver clinical treatment, care and support for patients who would otherwise be treated in a public inpatient mental health unit.

Ramsay Clinic Albert Road will provide 24 beds plus six hospital-in-the-home beds, while Shepparton Private Hospital will have a flexible mix of five beds.

"This is an exciting time in the development and growth of mental health services in Victoria," Ramsay Clinic Albert Road CEO Petra Glare said.

"We are pleased to be able to expand our services for Victorian women who are experiencing mental health issues. This partnership will allow our experienced team to support women in need at a time when demand for mental health services is higher than ever before."

Shepparton Private Hospital CEO Rhys Jones said the Royal Commission report had identified a need for separate treatment spaces for women and to ensure the safety and dignity of consumers, families, carers and workers in Victoria's mental health system.

"This meaningful, Australian-first initiative is intended to be a holistic, wellness-focused service," Mr Jones said.

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