
$20 million surgery centre opens in Charlestown in big private health move
The Ramsay Health Care centre includes three operating theatres with capacity to expand to four, along with 12 inpatient beds and the latest medical equipment.
It provides specialist services including endoscopy, oral and maxillofacial surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, ENT, gynaecology and Mohs skin cancer surgery.
Ramsay - the country's largest private hospital operator - also owns Lake Macquarie and Warners Bay private hospitals.
Its new centre was designed to "meet growing local demand for surgical procedures close to home and reduce pressure on larger hospitals in the region".
The move comes amid volatility in the sector with the receivership of Healthscope, whose hospitals include Newcastle and Hunter Valley private.
Private hospitals have been locked in a battle with health insurers for higher payments to cover the rising costs of treating patients.
Claire Thurwood, CEO of Ramsay Surgical Centres, said the Charlestown site "demonstrates Ramsay's focus on improving access to high-quality surgical care in regional communities".
"This investment means that residents of Newcastle and surrounding areas have access to the same high-quality surgical services available in major metropolitan centres," Ms Thurwood said.
"Importantly, it also supports better care co-ordination across Ramsay's existing hospitals in the region, helping patients move more easily through the system."
Oral maxillofacial surgeon Ben Gupta said the new centre would "benefit local patients and clinicians".
"It's exciting to be part of this modern facility that will provide exceptional patient care. It's a great step forward for specialist care in the region," Dr Gupta said.
The Newcastle Herald recently reported a $5 million clinical trials operation - run by Novatrials - will open in Charlestown in August.
Along with the surgical centre, this clinical trials operation is based at the Charlestown Health Hub.
The hub also includes imaging, pathology, a GP clinic and skin cancer clinic.
Meanwhile, the Albanese government has called for expressions of interest for an urgent care clinic at Maitland.
Paterson MP Meryl Swanson said "this is fantastic news for our community and a big win for locals".
The Medicare clinics provide "walk-in, bulk-billed treatment for urgent but non-life-threatening emergencies".
They aim to reduce pressure on emergency departments.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the clinics were "filling the gap between GPs and hospital emergency rooms".
The Newcastle Herald reported in April that high demand for the clinics at Charlestown and Lake Haven had prompted the government to expand them.
At the time, Mr Butler said those two clinics were "some of the busiest in the country".
Labor made an election promise to fund a second doctor at the clinics.
As of now, the government funds the clinics with about $1.2 million a year for one doctor, nurse, receptionist and running costs.
A $20 million surgical centre has opened in Charlestown, boosting access for patients to numerous procedures.
The Ramsay Health Care centre includes three operating theatres with capacity to expand to four, along with 12 inpatient beds and the latest medical equipment.
It provides specialist services including endoscopy, oral and maxillofacial surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, ENT, gynaecology and Mohs skin cancer surgery.
Ramsay - the country's largest private hospital operator - also owns Lake Macquarie and Warners Bay private hospitals.
Its new centre was designed to "meet growing local demand for surgical procedures close to home and reduce pressure on larger hospitals in the region".
The move comes amid volatility in the sector with the receivership of Healthscope, whose hospitals include Newcastle and Hunter Valley private.
Private hospitals have been locked in a battle with health insurers for higher payments to cover the rising costs of treating patients.
Claire Thurwood, CEO of Ramsay Surgical Centres, said the Charlestown site "demonstrates Ramsay's focus on improving access to high-quality surgical care in regional communities".
"This investment means that residents of Newcastle and surrounding areas have access to the same high-quality surgical services available in major metropolitan centres," Ms Thurwood said.
"Importantly, it also supports better care co-ordination across Ramsay's existing hospitals in the region, helping patients move more easily through the system."
Oral maxillofacial surgeon Ben Gupta said the new centre would "benefit local patients and clinicians".
"It's exciting to be part of this modern facility that will provide exceptional patient care. It's a great step forward for specialist care in the region," Dr Gupta said.
The Newcastle Herald recently reported a $5 million clinical trials operation - run by Novatrials - will open in Charlestown in August.
Along with the surgical centre, this clinical trials operation is based at the Charlestown Health Hub.
The hub also includes imaging, pathology, a GP clinic and skin cancer clinic.
Meanwhile, the Albanese government has called for expressions of interest for an urgent care clinic at Maitland.
Paterson MP Meryl Swanson said "this is fantastic news for our community and a big win for locals".
The Medicare clinics provide "walk-in, bulk-billed treatment for urgent but non-life-threatening emergencies".
They aim to reduce pressure on emergency departments.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the clinics were "filling the gap between GPs and hospital emergency rooms".
The Newcastle Herald reported in April that high demand for the clinics at Charlestown and Lake Haven had prompted the government to expand them.
At the time, Mr Butler said those two clinics were "some of the busiest in the country".
Labor made an election promise to fund a second doctor at the clinics.
As of now, the government funds the clinics with about $1.2 million a year for one doctor, nurse, receptionist and running costs.
A $20 million surgical centre has opened in Charlestown, boosting access for patients to numerous procedures.
The Ramsay Health Care centre includes three operating theatres with capacity to expand to four, along with 12 inpatient beds and the latest medical equipment.
It provides specialist services including endoscopy, oral and maxillofacial surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, ENT, gynaecology and Mohs skin cancer surgery.
Ramsay - the country's largest private hospital operator - also owns Lake Macquarie and Warners Bay private hospitals.
Its new centre was designed to "meet growing local demand for surgical procedures close to home and reduce pressure on larger hospitals in the region".
The move comes amid volatility in the sector with the receivership of Healthscope, whose hospitals include Newcastle and Hunter Valley private.
Private hospitals have been locked in a battle with health insurers for higher payments to cover the rising costs of treating patients.
Claire Thurwood, CEO of Ramsay Surgical Centres, said the Charlestown site "demonstrates Ramsay's focus on improving access to high-quality surgical care in regional communities".
"This investment means that residents of Newcastle and surrounding areas have access to the same high-quality surgical services available in major metropolitan centres," Ms Thurwood said.
"Importantly, it also supports better care co-ordination across Ramsay's existing hospitals in the region, helping patients move more easily through the system."
Oral maxillofacial surgeon Ben Gupta said the new centre would "benefit local patients and clinicians".
"It's exciting to be part of this modern facility that will provide exceptional patient care. It's a great step forward for specialist care in the region," Dr Gupta said.
The Newcastle Herald recently reported a $5 million clinical trials operation - run by Novatrials - will open in Charlestown in August.
Along with the surgical centre, this clinical trials operation is based at the Charlestown Health Hub.
The hub also includes imaging, pathology, a GP clinic and skin cancer clinic.
Meanwhile, the Albanese government has called for expressions of interest for an urgent care clinic at Maitland.
Paterson MP Meryl Swanson said "this is fantastic news for our community and a big win for locals".
The Medicare clinics provide "walk-in, bulk-billed treatment for urgent but non-life-threatening emergencies".
They aim to reduce pressure on emergency departments.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the clinics were "filling the gap between GPs and hospital emergency rooms".
The Newcastle Herald reported in April that high demand for the clinics at Charlestown and Lake Haven had prompted the government to expand them.
At the time, Mr Butler said those two clinics were "some of the busiest in the country".
Labor made an election promise to fund a second doctor at the clinics.
As of now, the government funds the clinics with about $1.2 million a year for one doctor, nurse, receptionist and running costs.
A $20 million surgical centre has opened in Charlestown, boosting access for patients to numerous procedures.
The Ramsay Health Care centre includes three operating theatres with capacity to expand to four, along with 12 inpatient beds and the latest medical equipment.
It provides specialist services including endoscopy, oral and maxillofacial surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, ENT, gynaecology and Mohs skin cancer surgery.
Ramsay - the country's largest private hospital operator - also owns Lake Macquarie and Warners Bay private hospitals.
Its new centre was designed to "meet growing local demand for surgical procedures close to home and reduce pressure on larger hospitals in the region".
The move comes amid volatility in the sector with the receivership of Healthscope, whose hospitals include Newcastle and Hunter Valley private.
Private hospitals have been locked in a battle with health insurers for higher payments to cover the rising costs of treating patients.
Claire Thurwood, CEO of Ramsay Surgical Centres, said the Charlestown site "demonstrates Ramsay's focus on improving access to high-quality surgical care in regional communities".
"This investment means that residents of Newcastle and surrounding areas have access to the same high-quality surgical services available in major metropolitan centres," Ms Thurwood said.
"Importantly, it also supports better care co-ordination across Ramsay's existing hospitals in the region, helping patients move more easily through the system."
Oral maxillofacial surgeon Ben Gupta said the new centre would "benefit local patients and clinicians".
"It's exciting to be part of this modern facility that will provide exceptional patient care. It's a great step forward for specialist care in the region," Dr Gupta said.
The Newcastle Herald recently reported a $5 million clinical trials operation - run by Novatrials - will open in Charlestown in August.
Along with the surgical centre, this clinical trials operation is based at the Charlestown Health Hub.
The hub also includes imaging, pathology, a GP clinic and skin cancer clinic.
Meanwhile, the Albanese government has called for expressions of interest for an urgent care clinic at Maitland.
Paterson MP Meryl Swanson said "this is fantastic news for our community and a big win for locals".
The Medicare clinics provide "walk-in, bulk-billed treatment for urgent but non-life-threatening emergencies".
They aim to reduce pressure on emergency departments.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the clinics were "filling the gap between GPs and hospital emergency rooms".
The Newcastle Herald reported in April that high demand for the clinics at Charlestown and Lake Haven had prompted the government to expand them.
At the time, Mr Butler said those two clinics were "some of the busiest in the country".
Labor made an election promise to fund a second doctor at the clinics.
As of now, the government funds the clinics with about $1.2 million a year for one doctor, nurse, receptionist and running costs.

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West Australian
11 hours ago
- West Australian
Private healthcare giant Ramsay shuts psychology clinics
The country's biggest private hospital company will shut the majority of its psychology clinics in a matter of months. Ramsay Health Care notified staff of the closure of 17 of its 20 clinics earlier this month. The three remaining clinics are in the Newcastle suburb of Charlestown, in Perth's northern suburbs, and in Cairns. '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, whether through our existing and expanded Telehealth service or with another trusted provider, depending on what is clinically appropriate,' a spokesperson said. '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.' Only Ramsay's community-based psychology clinics are closing, not its hospital mental health services or inpatient and day programs. Federal Greens leader Larissa Waters said half of Australians who needed mental health support already could not get it. 'The waiting lists are huge, and so it's devastating to see that a private healthcare operator is going to close down yet more facilities, and where are those people going to go?' she said. 'Health care shouldn't be for profit, and it shouldn't be how much money you've got on your credit card to enable you to get the health care that you need. 'So it's a real shame that profit seems to be driving this outcome that will have a real impact.' Ramsay Health is listed on the Australian sharemarket and valued at $8.9bn. The company's share price is down 16 per cent over the past 12 months. In August, Ramsay Health Care reported a nearly triple full-year profit of $888.7m, up from $298.1m the year before. The large return was mostly due to the sale of Ramsay's stake in Ramsay Sime Darby, which owns hospitals in Malaysia and Indonesia. The financial results gave shareholders an 80 cent dividend per share across the financial year. 'The government should be providing healthcare services as a universal right of all Australians, and it shouldn't be whether or not a private company's profit margin is going to work to determine the outcomes for Australians' access to mental health care,' Ms Waters said. The 17 clinics are being shut progressively until the final one closes the doors permanently by the end of August. Four Melbourne clinics are being shut, three in Sydney will close, two in Perth will shut, and single clinics on the Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, the Gold Coast, NSW's Central Coast and Wollongong will close. 'After careful consideration, we are transitioning Ramsay Psychology to a more flexible and sustainable model, which includes the progressive closure of 17 clinics by the end of August,' the Ramsay spokesperson said. 'Three clinics, in Cairns (QLD), Charlestown (NSW) and Joondalup (WA), will remain open to support local needs, maintain key partnerships and pilot more integrated models of care. 'Ramsay Health Care is reshaping how it delivers community-based mental health support to better meet the evolving needs of clients and clinicians.' The National Mental Health Commission's National Report Card was also released on Thursday, the same day as news of the Ramsay closures broke. Health commission chief executive David McGrath said fewer and fewer people could afford mental health care. 'We have also seen a steady rise in financial stress and in the proportion of people in Australia delaying mental health care due to cost in the last four years,' Mr McGrath said in the report. 'Disappointingly, many social factors impacting mental health are not showing improvement (e.g. loneliness and experiences of discrimination) and positive experiences of mental health care have remained stable.' People were feeling less secluded than in the previous year, the commission found, and more people were getting help now than in 2007. 'However, there is no question there is a long way to go – our younger generations continue to report heightened psychological distress and financial stress and have a much higher prevalence of mental health challenges relative to the rest of the population,' Mr McGrath said.


Perth Now
11 hours ago
- Perth Now
‘Devastating': Private health giant shuts clinics
The country's biggest private hospital company will shut the majority of its psychology clinics in a matter of months. Ramsay Health Care notified staff of the closure of 17 of its 20 clinics earlier this month. The three remaining clinics are in the Newcastle suburb of Charlestown, in Perth's northern suburbs, and in Cairns. '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, whether through our existing and expanded Telehealth service or with another trusted provider, depending on what is clinically appropriate,' a spokesperson said. '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.' Ramsay Health Care is a major player in Australia's private healthcare industry. Jason Edwards / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia Only Ramsay's community-based psychology clinics are closing, not its hospital mental health services or inpatient and day programs. Federal Greens leader Larissa Waters said half of Australians who needed mental health support already could not get it. 'The waiting lists are huge, and so it's devastating to see that a private healthcare operator is going to close down yet more facilities, and where are those people going to go?' she said. 'Health care shouldn't be for profit, and it shouldn't be how much money you've got on your credit card to enable you to get the health care that you need. 'So it's a real shame that profit seems to be driving this outcome that will have a real impact.' Ramsay Health is listed on the Australian sharemarket and valued at $8.9bn. The company's share price is down 16 per cent over the past 12 months. Erina on the NSW Central Coast is one of the clinics to close. Google Credit: Supplied In August, Ramsay Health Care reported a nearly triple full-year profit of $888.7m, up from $298.1m the year before. The large return was mostly due to the sale of Ramsay's stake in Ramsay Sime Darby, which owns hospitals in Malaysia and Indonesia. The financial results gave shareholders an 80 cent dividend per share across the financial year. 'The government should be providing healthcare services as a universal right of all Australians, and it shouldn't be whether or not a private company's profit margin is going to work to determine the outcomes for Australians' access to mental health care,' Ms Waters said. The 17 clinics are being shut progressively until the final one closes the doors permanently by the end of August. Ramsay Health Care's share price has tumbled over the past year. NewsWire / Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia Four Melbourne clinics are being shut, three in Sydney will close, two in Perth will shut, and single clinics on the Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, the Gold Coast, NSW's Central Coast and Wollongong will close. 'After careful consideration, we are transitioning Ramsay Psychology to a more flexible and sustainable model, which includes the progressive closure of 17 clinics by the end of August,' the Ramsay spokesperson said. 'Three clinics, in Cairns (QLD), Charlestown (NSW) and Joondalup (WA), will remain open to support local needs, maintain key partnerships and pilot more integrated models of care. 'Ramsay Health Care is reshaping how it delivers community-based mental health support to better meet the evolving needs of clients and clinicians.' The National Mental Health Commission's National Report Card was also released on Thursday, the same day as news of the Ramsay closures broke. Health commission chief executive David McGrath said fewer and fewer people could afford mental health care. 'We have also seen a steady rise in financial stress and in the proportion of people in Australia delaying mental health care due to cost in the last four years,' Mr McGrath said in the report. 'Disappointingly, many social factors impacting mental health are not showing improvement (e.g. loneliness and experiences of discrimination) and positive experiences of mental health care have remained stable.' People were feeling less secluded than in the previous year, the commission found, and more people were getting help now than in 2007. 'However, there is no question there is a long way to go – our younger generations continue to report heightened psychological distress and financial stress and have a much higher prevalence of mental health challenges relative to the rest of the population,' Mr McGrath said.

Sky News AU
12 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Ramsay Health Care to shut 17 of its 20 psychology clinics in major blow to thousands of Australians
Australia's largest private hospital operator is closing 17 of its 20 mental health clinics across the nation in a blow to thousands of patients that rely on the critical services. Ramsay Health Care said it would close the vast majority of its clinics in a staff meeting delivered earlier this month, which a a spokesperson has since confirmed. 'After careful consideration, we are transitioning Ramsay Psychology to a more flexible and sustainable model, which includes the progressive closure of 17 clinics by the end of August,' a statement from Ramsay Health Care said. 'Three clinics, in Cairns (QLD), Charlestown (NSW) and Joondalup (WA), will remain open to support local needs, maintain key partnerships and pilot more integrated models of care.' Ramsay said the company 'understands' the closures 'might be unsettling' for its clients. '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, whether through our existing and expanded Telehealth service or with another trusted provider, depending on what is clinically appropriate,' the company's statement said. '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.' Ramsay sees a broad range of patients including children and young people with PTSD. One anonymous Ramsay psychologist expressed concern about the many patients who are forced to find alternative care after the clinics shut down. "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," she told the ABC. "The more clients are going through revolving doors, eventually, they just give up. "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, they are not taking concerns seriously." Clinic to shut down in Western Australia include one in West Perth and Mount Pleasant. Victorian clinics include spots in South Melbourne, Box Hill, Bundoora and Frankston, while NSW clinics to close are in St Leonards, Parramatta, Erina and Wollongong. Meanwhile, the Fortitude Valley, Clayfield, Ipswich, Southport, Maroochydore and Coolangatta clinics in Queensland will close down. The closures come amid troubles in the Australian private health sector. Healthscope, which runs 37 hospitals across Australia, recently went under as it faced $1.6 trillion of debt and its lenders voted to put it into receivership. It has received a $100 million lifeline from Commonwealth Bank of Australia, which comes in addition to its current cash balance of $110m and 'substantial additional asset backing across the group', according to Healthscope. The company continues to look for a buyer, but is reportedly pursuing plans to turn itself into a charitable organisation to reduce payroll tax payments and retain its hospitals.