Ramsay Health shuts Queensland psychology clinics amid $104m loss

Six Ramsay Health psychology clinics in Queensland are among 17 earmarked for closure, leaving just one in the state.

Psychology patients have been hit by further clinic closures. (File picture)

Australia’s largest private provider of psychology services is set to close all but three of its clinics, forcing hundreds of Queenslanders battling depression, anxiety, eating disorders and other mental health struggles in search of support.

Ramsay Health announced on Thursday it would close 17 of its 20 clinics by the end of August.

This includes six in Queensland, with just one – in Cairns – to remain open.

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Queensland chair Professor Brett Emmerson said the closure was another example of the fragile state of mental health services.

“The closure of these clinics in Queensland will put more pressure on the struggling public health system,” he said.

“Services need to be accessible and they are not.

“I hope that some of the psychologists who work in these clinics will be able to take their patients with them wherever they work but there is no guarantee of that.”

Prof Emmerson also said that he feared that the LNP would come to the end of their time in government without having fixed the problems in the public mental health care system.

The shock announcement follows the recent closure of Toowong Private Hospital in Brisbane’s inner west, which treated 3000 mental health patients annually.

Private hospitals provide nearly one-third of Australia’s acute mental health beds.

The shock news follows the recent closure of Toowong Private Hospital.

Ramsay Health’s Queensland clinics, according to their websites, cater for people dealing with addiction, children with depression, and teenagers with eating disorders among other mental health challenges.

They are located in Maroochydore, Southport, Clayfield, Coolangatta, Ipswich and Fortitude Valley.

ASX-listed hospital group Ramsay Health Care said closing 17 clinics would allow it to better meet the evolving needs of clients and clinicians.

“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 said in a statement.

“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 reported a net loss after tax and minority interests of $104.9m in the six months to December 31, taking into account writedowns in its UK business.

The company paid shareholders a 40c franked dividend for the half-year.

CEO Natalie Davis told shareholders market forces had prompted the strategy shift.

“The development of a transformation plan for mental health activities is a key priority given shifts in the market,” she said in the report/

Ramsay Australia has 76 hospitals, clinics and day surgery units in Australia and also operates hospital in the home services, telehealth and 37 allied health clinics.

According to its latest financial report, Ramsay Australia admits more than one million patients annually and employs more than 35,000 people.

Originally published as Ramsay Health shuts Queensland psychology clinics amid $104m loss