Latest news with #RamsayHealthCare
The Advertiser
a day ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
As Healthscope's fate looms, Lake Macquarie Private Hospital is expanding
Consumer law won't allow Ramsay Health Care to buy the up-for-sale Newcastle Private Hospital. So said Lake Macquarie Private Hospital CEO Sharon Rewitt when asked about the prospect. "The ACCC wouldn't easily give us another hospital in the Hunter. It doesn't like anyone to dominate completely," Ms Rewitt said. "We already have a big footprint here." Ramsay owns Lake Macquarie and Warners Bay private hospitals, and officially opened a $20 million surgical centre in Charlestown earlier this month. A $45 million, six-storey expansion of Lake Macquarie Private at Gateshead gained state planning approval in May. An earlier plan for a $120 million, 10-storey tower was also approved. Given the volatility of the market, Ramsay is considering when and how to proceed. However, a concussion clinic and stroke unit have been established and the oncology unit has expanded at the Gateshead site. Newcastle Private is among the 37 hospitals owned by Healthscope, which is in receivership and expected to be broken up. It was reported this week that Ramsay was among nine parties to express interest in Healthscope hospitals. "Ramsay has publicly said we would be interested in some of the hospitals in areas where we are not," Ms Rewitt said. She said the private health sector in Newcastle was "a very competitive environment". "People are a lot more discerning now. They have information. "They can say, 'I don't want to go to that hospital because I don't think they're good. I want to go to this hospital'." The cost of surgery and seeing specialists in the private sector has come under scrutiny. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said in March that the Albanese government would upgrade the Medical Costs Finder website. The website will display the average fee charged by specialists, including surgery prices, alongside the national average. Mr Butler said the cost of medical and hospital services was "a key driver of health inflation for consumers". He said this fed into "higher out-of-pocket costs and higher private health insurance premiums". Ms Rewitt said labour and supply costs had "gone up significantly and remain challenging". "Post-COVID, nothing really returned to normal. Over the last few years, there's definitely been an erosion of margins," she said. Private hospitals have been locked in a battle with health insurers for higher payments to cover the rising costs of treating patients. In March, Mr Butler threatened health insurers with "regulatory action" if they did not take "immediate steps" to boost funding to private hospitals. Asked if her hospital had experienced a boost, Ms Rewitt said "we have". "We're still in negotiations with a few of the insurers." She said the price of surgeries was "dictated by what we get from the health funds". "They say to us, this is what you'll get for this and that service." The federal health department states that "doctors set their own fees for private medical services". "Many doctors and insurers use gap arrangements to remove or reduce your gap payment. "Fees for the same type and quality of care might vary, depending on who you see and where they are located." Ms Rewitt said the healthcare sector must "find new ways of doing things". "People are getting older and living much longer. They live with lots of comorbidities." She said there was a lot of change and opportunity ahead. "We do a lot more work now with robotics. Patients spend a lot less time in hospital. They recover better. "The question then is, what resources are available after they've left the hospital." Consumer law won't allow Ramsay Health Care to buy the up-for-sale Newcastle Private Hospital. So said Lake Macquarie Private Hospital CEO Sharon Rewitt when asked about the prospect. "The ACCC wouldn't easily give us another hospital in the Hunter. It doesn't like anyone to dominate completely," Ms Rewitt said. "We already have a big footprint here." Ramsay owns Lake Macquarie and Warners Bay private hospitals, and officially opened a $20 million surgical centre in Charlestown earlier this month. A $45 million, six-storey expansion of Lake Macquarie Private at Gateshead gained state planning approval in May. An earlier plan for a $120 million, 10-storey tower was also approved. Given the volatility of the market, Ramsay is considering when and how to proceed. However, a concussion clinic and stroke unit have been established and the oncology unit has expanded at the Gateshead site. Newcastle Private is among the 37 hospitals owned by Healthscope, which is in receivership and expected to be broken up. It was reported this week that Ramsay was among nine parties to express interest in Healthscope hospitals. "Ramsay has publicly said we would be interested in some of the hospitals in areas where we are not," Ms Rewitt said. She said the private health sector in Newcastle was "a very competitive environment". "People are a lot more discerning now. They have information. "They can say, 'I don't want to go to that hospital because I don't think they're good. I want to go to this hospital'." The cost of surgery and seeing specialists in the private sector has come under scrutiny. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said in March that the Albanese government would upgrade the Medical Costs Finder website. The website will display the average fee charged by specialists, including surgery prices, alongside the national average. Mr Butler said the cost of medical and hospital services was "a key driver of health inflation for consumers". He said this fed into "higher out-of-pocket costs and higher private health insurance premiums". Ms Rewitt said labour and supply costs had "gone up significantly and remain challenging". "Post-COVID, nothing really returned to normal. Over the last few years, there's definitely been an erosion of margins," she said. Private hospitals have been locked in a battle with health insurers for higher payments to cover the rising costs of treating patients. In March, Mr Butler threatened health insurers with "regulatory action" if they did not take "immediate steps" to boost funding to private hospitals. Asked if her hospital had experienced a boost, Ms Rewitt said "we have". "We're still in negotiations with a few of the insurers." She said the price of surgeries was "dictated by what we get from the health funds". "They say to us, this is what you'll get for this and that service." The federal health department states that "doctors set their own fees for private medical services". "Many doctors and insurers use gap arrangements to remove or reduce your gap payment. "Fees for the same type and quality of care might vary, depending on who you see and where they are located." Ms Rewitt said the healthcare sector must "find new ways of doing things". "People are getting older and living much longer. They live with lots of comorbidities." She said there was a lot of change and opportunity ahead. "We do a lot more work now with robotics. Patients spend a lot less time in hospital. They recover better. "The question then is, what resources are available after they've left the hospital." Consumer law won't allow Ramsay Health Care to buy the up-for-sale Newcastle Private Hospital. So said Lake Macquarie Private Hospital CEO Sharon Rewitt when asked about the prospect. "The ACCC wouldn't easily give us another hospital in the Hunter. It doesn't like anyone to dominate completely," Ms Rewitt said. "We already have a big footprint here." Ramsay owns Lake Macquarie and Warners Bay private hospitals, and officially opened a $20 million surgical centre in Charlestown earlier this month. A $45 million, six-storey expansion of Lake Macquarie Private at Gateshead gained state planning approval in May. An earlier plan for a $120 million, 10-storey tower was also approved. Given the volatility of the market, Ramsay is considering when and how to proceed. However, a concussion clinic and stroke unit have been established and the oncology unit has expanded at the Gateshead site. Newcastle Private is among the 37 hospitals owned by Healthscope, which is in receivership and expected to be broken up. It was reported this week that Ramsay was among nine parties to express interest in Healthscope hospitals. "Ramsay has publicly said we would be interested in some of the hospitals in areas where we are not," Ms Rewitt said. She said the private health sector in Newcastle was "a very competitive environment". "People are a lot more discerning now. They have information. "They can say, 'I don't want to go to that hospital because I don't think they're good. I want to go to this hospital'." The cost of surgery and seeing specialists in the private sector has come under scrutiny. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said in March that the Albanese government would upgrade the Medical Costs Finder website. The website will display the average fee charged by specialists, including surgery prices, alongside the national average. Mr Butler said the cost of medical and hospital services was "a key driver of health inflation for consumers". He said this fed into "higher out-of-pocket costs and higher private health insurance premiums". Ms Rewitt said labour and supply costs had "gone up significantly and remain challenging". "Post-COVID, nothing really returned to normal. Over the last few years, there's definitely been an erosion of margins," she said. Private hospitals have been locked in a battle with health insurers for higher payments to cover the rising costs of treating patients. In March, Mr Butler threatened health insurers with "regulatory action" if they did not take "immediate steps" to boost funding to private hospitals. Asked if her hospital had experienced a boost, Ms Rewitt said "we have". "We're still in negotiations with a few of the insurers." She said the price of surgeries was "dictated by what we get from the health funds". "They say to us, this is what you'll get for this and that service." The federal health department states that "doctors set their own fees for private medical services". "Many doctors and insurers use gap arrangements to remove or reduce your gap payment. "Fees for the same type and quality of care might vary, depending on who you see and where they are located." Ms Rewitt said the healthcare sector must "find new ways of doing things". "People are getting older and living much longer. They live with lots of comorbidities." She said there was a lot of change and opportunity ahead. "We do a lot more work now with robotics. Patients spend a lot less time in hospital. They recover better. "The question then is, what resources are available after they've left the hospital." Consumer law won't allow Ramsay Health Care to buy the up-for-sale Newcastle Private Hospital. So said Lake Macquarie Private Hospital CEO Sharon Rewitt when asked about the prospect. "The ACCC wouldn't easily give us another hospital in the Hunter. It doesn't like anyone to dominate completely," Ms Rewitt said. "We already have a big footprint here." Ramsay owns Lake Macquarie and Warners Bay private hospitals, and officially opened a $20 million surgical centre in Charlestown earlier this month. A $45 million, six-storey expansion of Lake Macquarie Private at Gateshead gained state planning approval in May. An earlier plan for a $120 million, 10-storey tower was also approved. Given the volatility of the market, Ramsay is considering when and how to proceed. However, a concussion clinic and stroke unit have been established and the oncology unit has expanded at the Gateshead site. Newcastle Private is among the 37 hospitals owned by Healthscope, which is in receivership and expected to be broken up. It was reported this week that Ramsay was among nine parties to express interest in Healthscope hospitals. "Ramsay has publicly said we would be interested in some of the hospitals in areas where we are not," Ms Rewitt said. She said the private health sector in Newcastle was "a very competitive environment". "People are a lot more discerning now. They have information. "They can say, 'I don't want to go to that hospital because I don't think they're good. I want to go to this hospital'." The cost of surgery and seeing specialists in the private sector has come under scrutiny. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said in March that the Albanese government would upgrade the Medical Costs Finder website. The website will display the average fee charged by specialists, including surgery prices, alongside the national average. Mr Butler said the cost of medical and hospital services was "a key driver of health inflation for consumers". He said this fed into "higher out-of-pocket costs and higher private health insurance premiums". Ms Rewitt said labour and supply costs had "gone up significantly and remain challenging". "Post-COVID, nothing really returned to normal. Over the last few years, there's definitely been an erosion of margins," she said. Private hospitals have been locked in a battle with health insurers for higher payments to cover the rising costs of treating patients. In March, Mr Butler threatened health insurers with "regulatory action" if they did not take "immediate steps" to boost funding to private hospitals. Asked if her hospital had experienced a boost, Ms Rewitt said "we have". "We're still in negotiations with a few of the insurers." She said the price of surgeries was "dictated by what we get from the health funds". "They say to us, this is what you'll get for this and that service." The federal health department states that "doctors set their own fees for private medical services". "Many doctors and insurers use gap arrangements to remove or reduce your gap payment. "Fees for the same type and quality of care might vary, depending on who you see and where they are located." Ms Rewitt said the healthcare sector must "find new ways of doing things". "People are getting older and living much longer. They live with lots of comorbidities." She said there was a lot of change and opportunity ahead. "We do a lot more work now with robotics. Patients spend a lot less time in hospital. They recover better. "The question then is, what resources are available after they've left the hospital."
ABC News
a day ago
- Health
- ABC News
Former patients of neurosurgeon Greg Malham describe 'arrogant' and 'dehumanising' behaviour
The controversial Melbourne neurosurgeon at the centre of a Four Corners investigation will be referred to the medical regulator by his former hospital over complaints by a patient about his care. The patient said surgeon Greg Malham's behaviour went beyond "simply poor bedside manner". "It is a sustained display of arrogance [and] neglect," she wrote to the hospital. She is one of many former patients and colleagues of Mr Malham who have contacted Four Corners, following the program God Complex, to describe their own dealings with the neurosurgeon and what they say was inappropriate care and follow-up. Melbourne's Warringal Private Hospital, owned by Australia's largest private hospital provider Ramsay Health Care, terminated Greg Malham's temporary credentialing to operate at the facility after the program went to air. Warringal CEO Maree Mendola told staff in an email that the allegations raised in the Four Corners story about Mr Malham's workplace conduct "are serious and do not align with Ramsay's values". This was the second hospital to part company with Greg Malham. Mr Malham resigned from Melbourne's Epworth Private Hospital in May after a video emerged of him tearing down an election corflute for independent MP Monique Ryan and referring to "burying the body under concrete". The video was described by Epworth CEO Andrew Stripp in a statement as "abhorrent". Greg Malham was recommended to Emma Pursey as a "spinal wizard", but she said his treatment of her extreme pain after an operation in 2013 was "not only dismissive but dehumanising". Ms Pursey wrote to Epworth Hospital's CEO, Andrew Stripp, when the corflute story broke, telling him "women deserve better". "I sincerely hope Epworth's leadership will commit to real cultural and systemic change," she wrote. Ms Pursey, an actor, producer and writer from Melbourne, underwent major fusion surgery to address the ongoing effects of childhood scoliosis. But she said that after the operation, she was beside herself with pain and unable to sleep the entire duration of her rehabilitation stay. "Despite repeatedly reporting my symptoms and spiralling into sleep-deprived distress, I was discharged without appropriate pain management," Ms Pursey wrote to the Epworth CEO. "For weeks I pleaded for help. It wasn't until I broke down on the phone in tears that Malham finally took my call and prescribed Lyrica, which brought immediate relief. "The delay was entirely avoidable." Four Corners is not suggesting that the operation itself was negligent. Ms Pursey's complaint is about Mr Malham's response to her pain. Ms Pursey wrote to the CEO that at a six-week follow-up appointment, she was dismayed when she asked Mr Malham if she could resume activities such as dancing. She said he responded by saying: "You already know the answer to this question, so I'm not going to sit here and answer stupid questions." "When I sought further clarity, he instead went to show me YouTube videos of his own dancing (which I declined to watch) and spoke at length about his black belt in karate," Ms Pursey wrote. "My questions were disregarded, and I was made to feel humiliated and irrelevant in the conversation about my own body. "His behaviour toward me — an experienced, informed patient with complex chronic health issues — was not only dismissive but dehumanising. "The power imbalance was palpable, and I have carried the trauma of that post-operative period for years." Ms Pursey said in her letter that she was writing to Professor Stripp because it was clear from the corflute video that "I will not be alone". "What has come to light is clearly not an isolated incident — it is part of a deeply troubling pattern of behaviour that deserves thorough scrutiny," she wrote. Ms Pursey did not hear back from Professor Stripp until he was contacted by Four Corners. In his reply to her on Tuesday — which she provided to Four Corners — he apologised and said that he would, with her consent, refer her complaint to the medical regulator, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). "The way you described your experience with clarity and courage was powerful," Professor Stripp wrote to Ms Pursey. "Your disappointment, frustration and the impact it had on you came through clearly, and I am sorry that your experience of care was not what we aspire to provide." Ms Pursey's letter was passed on to an external investigator employed by the hospital when the corflute video went public. Greg Malham resigned from Epworth before the external investigation commissioned by Epworth had completed. "I'm also grateful for your willingness to assist us in the work we're doing to improve how we respond to concerns raised by patients," Professor Stripp wrote to Ms Pursey. Professor Stripp said in a statement that he could not discuss individual cases, but Epworth recognised "the serious concerns raised with ABC Four Corners" and understood "how distressing such experiences can be". "When things don't go as they should, we want to listen, learn and act," Professor Stripp said. He encouraged any patients who wanted to raise similar matters to contact the hospital through its patient feedback service. Orthopaedic foot surgeon Andrew Kingsford was troubled by Greg Malham's lack of explanation when he emerged from an operation with the neurosurgeon with a paralysed arm. He had been admitted to Epworth in 2019 with a strained back from years of bending over in an operating theatre. Mr Malham told him that he needed to have his neck fused because his arthritis was placing pressure on his spinal cord. Mr Kingsford woke from the operation unable to move one of his arms. "I said, 'why can't I move my left arm?' And [Greg Malham] said 'it should be temporary ― have some physio and you'll be fine.'" But after many months of therapy, it did not improve significantly — Mr Kingsford was not able to perform his own surgery, nor to fly his plane to Albury on the NSW border, where he did monthly operations. Eventually, Greg Malham offered to operate again and did multiple procedures to open up and relieve pressure on the nerves, but Mr Kingsford said that paralysis worsened. Mr Kingsford said Mr Malham never told him why the surgery left him the way it did, and when he pushed him for a reason, he did not give one. "At my last review consultation with Greg Malham, he said there was nothing more he could do and he asked me to leave," Mr Kingsford said. Mr Kingsford acknowledged that all surgeons have complications in their surgery, and Four Corners does not suggest that Mr Malham was negligent. "Compassion and empathy expressed to the patients and their families [is vital] when these events occur. "I was very emotional when I watched your story as it rekindled my emotional distress that I had been experiencing and coming to terms with over several years," he said. He was forced to retire early, had to sell his farm and abandoned his post-retirement plan to pilot Angel Flights, flying sick country children and their families to city hospitals. "I was only 62 when he operated," he said. "My retirement looks very different than it would have otherwise been." Alexandra Clemens, who had back surgery with Greg Malham in 2006, also found the surgeon's behaviour after her operations extremely troubling. Ms Clemens kept contemporaneous notes (which she has provided to Four Corners) and subsequently wrote a letter of complaint. In them, she detailed how Mr Malham called her "sweets", minimised the pain she was experiencing after surgery, and blamed her for being unfit and slow to heal. Kristy, a nurse working in recovery at the time of Ms Clemens's operation, told Four Corners she was always on high alert when she heard Mr Malham speaking to patients because "he had very little sympathy for anyone". She said "arrogant surgeons" often did not want to know about the pain patients were in after operations because "they think they've done such a great job". Ms Clemens's notes describe the surgeon as "very offhand, aggressive, rude, patronising, dismissive and generally unprofessional". "On one of his ward visits following the first surgery, he did kiss me on the forehead, which I thought was a tad odd," Ms Clemens said. And in her letter dated June 4, 2006 and addressed to Mr Malham, she told the surgeon: "Greg, in 2006 fifty-one-year-old women are not little girls who should be patronised and growled at because they are asking their surgeon questions. "I am your patient and my concerns deserve to be acknowledged. "Also and perhaps more importantly, I am a human being and I have a right to be treated with dignity and respect." Ms Clemens said she did not receive a reply from Greg Malham. All three of these patients said they were speaking out in the hopes of broader institutional change in the surgical culture. "I hope that the Epworth begins, through this case, a change of culture that will then extend across the nation," Ms Pursey told Four Corners. "It will take a long time, but bringing light to such darkness is where we can hopefully begin to change the world of medical misogyny." Greg Malham has not responded to any of the many questions Four Corners has sent him, including those about these three patients.
ABC News
24-07-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Concern as Ramsay Health moves to close bulk of psychology clinics
Thousands of Australians are about to lose access to their psychologist, with Ramsay Health Care — the country's largest private provider of mental health services — shutting down the bulk of its clinics. Seventeen of Ramsay's 20 psychology clinics will close by September, sparking concerns about how people will access mental health care across the country. Guest: Dr Sara Quinn, President of the Australian Psychological Society Dr Sara Quinn, President of the Australian Psychological Society Producer: Eddy Diamond If you or anyone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636Statement to ABC Radio National Breakfast from Ramsay Health Care "Ramsay Health Care is reshaping how it delivers community-based mental health support to better meet the evolving needs of clients and clinicians. 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. 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. 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. 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."
The Guardian
24-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Australia's largest private hospital operator to close majority of psychology clinics to be ‘flexible, sustainable'
Ramsay Health Care, Australia's largest private hospital operator, has announced it will be closing the majority of its psychology clinics, described by the peak body as 'very sad news' for those needing mental health care. The hospital network said it would progressively close 17 out of its 20 clinics by the end of August, in order to transition Ramsay Psychology to a 'more flexible and sustainable model'. Three clinics in Cairns, Charlestown and Joondalup will remain open to 'support local needs, maintain key partnerships and pilot more integrated models of care', Ramsay Health Care said in a statement. '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 statement said. Sign up: AU Breaking News email Ramsay's website states it is 'Australia's largest private provider of psychology services'. It has not yet become clear if the closures amount to significant job losses. The network lists 141 psychologists on the website's 'find a practitioner tool'. The company also provides psychology services through mental health clinics offering inpatient treatment and outpatient sessions and day programs, which Guardian Australia understands will not be affected. In November an Australia government review of the private hospital sector's financial viability highlighted that obstetrics and mental health were 'two particular services of concern' becoming 'increasingly difficult to offer'. The president of the Australian Association of Psychologists, Sahra O'Doherty, said 'the closure of these clinics is very sad news for anyone needing professional mental health care'. 'Given we learned today the National Mental Health Commission Report Card showed that 20% delay seeking mental health help because of cost, these closures mean accessing psychological care will be more challenging,' Doherty said. The report for 2024, released on Thursday, also found less than half (45.1%) of people who had a mental disorder in the last 12 months had seen a health professional for their mental health in the past year. The diminishing access to mental health services comes against the backdrop of shortages of psychiatrists in both the public and private sectors, with the high-profile dispute between NSW Health and the state's public psychiatrists highlighting the constraints on mental health care in public hospital settings.
Perth Now
24-07-2025
- Health
- 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.
