New psychiatrist for Lavarack Barracks planned for 2025

Soldiers in the nation’s largest garrison city will continue to wait up to eight weeks to see the single part-time base psychiatrist with the new trainee psychiatrist only set to finish their studies in two years.

SOLDIERS in the nation’s largest garrison city will continue to wait up to eight weeks to see the single part-time base psychiatrist with the new trainee only set to finish their studies in two years.

Joint Health Unit North Queensland commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Karen Such told the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide that military personnel in Townsville are waiting six weeks to see a general practitioner and four weeks to get a non-emergency psychologist appointment at Lavarack Barracks.

Just one psychiatrist who works two days per week services the more than 5000 defence personnel stationed in Townsville alongside four psychologists, three mental health registered nurses and three Army intern psychology officers.

In his written statement to the commission, 3rd Brigade Commander Brigadier Kahlil Fegan says the additional five-role Joint Health Unit North Queensland HQ had three vacant positions including for a senior military psychology officer and a mental health registered nurse.

Lieutenant Colonel Such was questioned about the plan to have a new psychiatrist start at the base in 2025.

Counsel assisting the commission Peter Singleton asked why this could not happen sooner, and why a civilian could not be contracted to fill the gaps.

Lieutenant Colonel Such said the base’s trainee psychiatrist would only finish his five-year training program in 2024.

“We do have an on-base psychiatrist two days a week, which I believe provides us with good care,” she said.

She said the part-time psychiatrist worked on Mondays and Wednesdays but that they had emergency slots available on each day.

“We operate a triage process. If someone is in need, they will be seen pretty much immediately,” Lieutenant Colonel Such said.

Regimental Sergeant Major for the 3rd Combat Brigade Warrant Officer Class 1 Brian Buskell said the extended wait times were impacting soldiers.

“When I talk to soldiers, a common discussion we have is how long it takes them to see a doctor,” he said.

“It has a negative impact and they feel it is not fair.”

The commission was told that even when soldiers did secure an appointment, there was a fear that any medical or mental health appointment could hinder their career.

Chaplain Gary Pope said any medical issue could impact a soldier’s career but that the concern in the ranks was greater than reality.

“If I see a doctor for a physical ailment that is something that is going to be long term and debilitating and the like. It will have an impact,” he said.

“That might hit the pause button on certain activities within Army for me. I think the same can be said for mental health.

“I would imagine that there is a greater level of concern amongst soldiers that presenting with a mental health concern will have an impact on their career. I think that is greater than what is actually the case – so there is a stigma involved in that or a misunderstanding of the reality.”

‘We are getting better’: Army leaders praise cultural change

FOUR of Townsville’s senior Army leaders say a modern military has embraced change and inclusivity which fosters soldiers to speak up about mental health issues at Lavarack Barracks.

Joint Health Unit NQ commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Karen Such, Chaplin Gary Pope, Transfer and Transition Detachment commander Major Tony Kennedy and 3rd Brigade Regimental Sergeant Major Warrant Officer Class 1 Brian Buskell appeared before the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicides as it entered its sixth day of hearings in Townsville.

Chaplin Gary Pope, Joint Health Unit NQ commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Karen Such and Transfer and Transition Detachment commander Major Tony Kennedy.

While the group’s evidence celebrated military life and training at the nation’s largest Army barracks, other submissions presented to Commissioners described Lavarack Barracks as the “worst” for mental health issues.

The group has described “steady improvement” in culture since the 1980s and 1990s towards a more inclusive Army with a better focus on mental health within the ranks and more pathways to speak up about problems.

Chaplain Pope enlisted in 1999. He spent six years out of uniform and said he noticed a discernible cultural difference when he returned to the Army in 2012.

“Soldiers come into the Army now … that respect is given to the soldier and the person when they arrive in the unit,” he said.

Australian Army Warrant Office Class One Brian Buskell and Afghan Army Sergeant Major Hamdard meet at the Afghan National Army Sergeant Major Academy.

“Where previous techniques might have been; shut up and listen, speak when you’ve been spoken to and that you have to earn your time.”

RSM Warrant officer Brian Buskell said while significant change had happened since he was a junior soldier there was more to do.

“We are getting better but we are not there yet,” he said.

Warrant Officer Buskell agreed when asked if soldiers might disagree with the panel’s evidence which spoke about increased inclusivity and respect.

“They might say they are not (as) engaged as they would like to be and would feel that their opinions don’t count,” he said.

Major Tom Kennedy- the commander of the Transfer and Transition detachment also agreed that some soldiers would not agree with this assessment of military life but said this had more to do with the individual than any cultural issue.

“Everyone’s experience is different and can be different for different reasons,” he said.

“It might not necessarily be due to culture in the unit. It could be down to individual relationships or an individual who may have not done the right thing.”

Australian Army Chaplin, Major Gary Pope from the 3rd Brigade Headquarters, delivers a field service to soldiers at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland on Exercise Talisman Sabre, 25 July 2021.

Questions put to 3rd Brigade Commander Brigadier Kahlil Fagan in his written statement highlight an array of issues in Townsville that have been raised with the commission.

One submission said an ADF member experienced hazing, including being urinated on, during their posting for Townsville.

Another submission to the commission by the spouse of an ADF member said they suffered domestic violence while in Defence Housing in Townsville but was allegedly told by ADF staff and a Chaplin not to report the matter to civilian police.

While, in a another submission the commission was told of a woman who spent two weeks in hospital after attempting suicide but was labelled “a malingerer” upon release and was bullied and harassed by medical staff.

Commission Chair Nick Kaldas pressed the panel about their evidence.

“We have seen and heard a lot of very positive things, research papers being published, strategic statements, and the pathway to this and that,” he said.

“Certainly everything that is on paper is heading in the right direction and yet we have heard literally from hundreds of people … things are not going exactly as we would all wish them to be.”

The commission has received more than 1600 submissions and held 112 private sessions.

Originally published as New psychiatrist for Lavarack Barracks planned for 2025