Transforming women's mental health care

Private and public health are collaborating in Victoria to deliver a new era of compassionate and tailored mental health support exclusively for women.

Wren – the Women's Recovery Network – has officially opened its doors to patients at Ramsay Clinic Albert Road in Melbourne.

The transformative mental health service will support more than 750 Victorian women each year with a range of complex conditions, including those who have experienced trauma and sexual abuse, eating disorders, and perinatal mental health issues.

The Wren service model was co-designed in consultation with women with lived experience and aims to help ease pressure on the public system by delivering care for public patients in a private setting.

Wren Director Jennifer Babb emphasised the pivotal role played by those with lived experiences in shaping the centre's vision.

"We understood that things needed to be different for women to be able to recover in this sort of environment, and we have created an environment that is healing," she said of the process, which involved the active participation of 131 people with lived experience.

"We have authentically taken the co-design process and incorporated that into every aspect of developing Wren," Ms Babb added.

"People with lived experience have been vital in the process, which is really important to ensure the network reflects the needs of its clients."

Wren features 24 acute inpatient mental health beds, as well as six 'hospital in the home' beds, allowing choice for patients, and meeting women where they are most comfortable.

The 'hub and spoke model', using the Albert Road clinic as a base, will eventually be expanded to allow women from across Victoria to access the service.

The Shepparton 'spoke' of the service was launched in late 2022.

The Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System heard many women faced gender-based harm or abuse in the mental health system, and recommended a specific service for women, ensuring gender and sexual safety for women in acute inpatient settings.

Ramsay Clinic Albert Road CEO Petra Glare said Wren was created as a direct result of that recommendation – with Australia's largest private hospitals operator Ramsay Health Care, Alfred Health, Goulburn Valley Health and the Victorian Government coming together to realise the unique model of care.

"The Women's Recovery Network is the first public and private health service partnership of its kind, and Ramsay Mental Health are proud to be part of this innovative service transformation," she said.

"We have built a warm and welcoming safe space for women to receive care, support and treatment."

Read more: First 'spoke' in new women's mental care service

Read more: Safer mental health support for Victorian women

Next Safety And Quality:
23/1/2024 Weight-loss team recognised for excellence

Previous Safety And Quality:
6/12/2023 Bringing cancer care closer to home