News
Ramsay Health Care answers central coast call for services
Oct 04, 2019
Demand for mental health services on the New South Wales Central Coast was so high that Berkeley Vale Private Hospital has more than tripled the number of in-patient beds over the past four years.
The Ramsay Health Care facility expanded its number of beds for mental health patients to 28 - an increase of 20 since 2015.
To mark Mental Health Month (October), Berkeley Vale Private Hospital Chief Executive Officer Lorrie Mohsen announced the facility would continue to expand its offering on the Central Coast through increased programs for out-patients and community-based services.
“Demand for mental health services in this region continues to grow,” Ms Mohsen said.
According to Ramsay Health Care, Australia’s largest provider of acute mental health services, more than 7 million Australians aged 16 to 85 will experience a common mental health disorder during their lifetime.
These conditions ranged from mild depression to addiction disorders and psychosis.
Ramsay Health Care Mental Health Chair Kevin Cass-Ryall said there has been a gradual increase in the number of older people (65+ years) and younger people (16+ years) seeking assistance for mental health conditions.
“Patients want more specialised treatment and a more holistic approach to their recovery, along with a care regime that draws on a multidisciplinary team,” he said.
“They are also increasingly looking for ways to receive treatment outside hospital to remove the need for them to stay overnight in a clinic. Ramsay is focusing on expanding in this area.”
Ms Mohsen said many people were more willing to discuss their mental health issues with their GP than they used to be.
“There is a greater awareness in the community that mental health issues can be treated and more people are accepting referrals from their doctors so they can come to facilities like ours and recover,” she said.
Ramsay Health Care, Australia’s largest private provider of acute mental health services has compiled a list of its five most commonly treated mental health disorders to help raise awareness of the conditions:
| 1. Mood disorders |
Comprise 45 per cent of all patients treated.
Includes depression, bipolar disorder, dysthymia and other disorders characterised by the elevation or lowering of mood. |
| 2. Addictions |
Comprise 25 per of all patients treated.
Physical and emotional dependence on substances or behaviours which may include drugs, alcohol, gambling and/or gaming. |
| 3. Anxiety Disorders |
Comprise 15 per cent of all patients treated.
Symptoms can include muscular tension, heart palpitations, inability to concentrate, sleep or undertake normal activities and a feeling of intense fear and persistent and excessive worry. |
4. PTSD
(Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) |
Comprise 10 per cent of all patients treated.
A set of stress reactions in response to experiencing witnessing a life-threatening event such as an attack or assault, wartime conflict, natural disaster or serious accident. Symptoms may include re-experiencing the traumatic event, avoidance of any reminders, hyper-vigilance and feeling emotionally numb. |
| 5. Psychotic Disorders |
Comprise 5 per cent of all patients treated.
An impaired interpretation of reality commonly associated with hallucinations and delusions |
Source: Ramsay Health Care