We Care About Mental Health

In modern society, stress is everywhere. Stress is accompanied by frequent bursts of bad emotions, occasional uncontrollable friction with others, and self-doubt and denial that can arise at certain moments of distress. Are these things normal? Can it be the expression of psychology not health? What if? Let's take a look at some of HCA's recent "recharging" activities at its psychiatric hospitals.

 

NEW OUTPATIENT GROUPS DOUBLE IN PATIENT NUMBERS AT HIRONDELLE PRIVATE AND WESTMEAD REHABILITATION

At the height of COVID-19, our Hirondelle Private and Westmead Rehabilitation teams identified a need for more economical options for patients to continue their rehabilitation journey - and new outpatient rehabilitation groups have seen instant success.

The four rehabilitation groups currently offered include a general, open access circuit strength group; targeted Parkinson’s disease and Guillain Barre groups, and out-of-hours hydrotherapy groups for patients prior to undergoing surgery.

Positive feedback to date indicates patients enjoy being part of a group, whilst being challenged to work hard within a controlled and clinically safe program. The program was so well-received, bookings doubled within the first week of operation.

 

FIRST OF A KIND MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS UNIT OPENS IN TOWNSVILLE

A new $3.1m mental health and addictions unit - the first of its kind for north Queensland - has opened at Townsville Private Clinic, significantly reducing wait times as demand continues to grow. The new 13-bed specialist ward for addictions and substance abuse can accept inpatient referrals within days, compared with an average three month wait for an outpatient or day therapy program. It means that if abed is available, patient can come in and start receiving help to treat both their addiction and mental health illness at the same time.

Townsville Private CEO and Director of Clinical Services, Amanda Delacy said most people struggling with mental health craved connection and was surprised when many declined the offer of telehealth consults during the height of Coronavirus, instead opting to come into the Clinic as they wanted to be seen and heard in person. The new ward includes11 single rooms and a share room, and facilities for group therapy to encourage people to connect with and learn from one another.

 

Townsville Private Clinic's Director of Medical Services Dr Jane Hay (L) and CEO/Director of Nursing Amanda Delacy (R) welcome the new unit.

 

EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY AT THE HILLSCLINIC

Animals can offer an extraordinary amount of emotional support. Beyond the pet-owner relationship that many of us have lovingly experienced, animals are sometimes used in therapeutic settings to help clients navigate challenging emotional experiences.

Staff at The Hills Clinic have taken a holistic approach to responding to patient issues by incorporating the addition of equine-assisted therapy into the therapeutic process. Patients engage in activities such as grooming, feeding and leading a horse while being supervised by a mental health professional.

This alternate, hands-on therapy has been shown to promote positive physical, occupational and emotional growth in people suffering from a variety of mental health conditions. It is also proven to help develop skills such as emotional regulation, self-confidence and responsibility.

 

BLUE TREE PROJECT PAINTS SERIOUS PICTURE

The Blue Tree Project is an opportunity to help get those difficult conversations started and to encourage people to speak up about mental health. In painting the tree we are spreading the message is that “it’s OK to not be OK.” The team at Abbotsford Private Hospital, led by the nursing team, embraced this project by encouraging patients to get involved in a weekend activity held in the hospital’s beautiful outdoor courtyard.

Patients were invited to give a tree a ‘blue’ lease on life, signifying the importance of reducing the stigma around mental health and ‘having a blue day’. The tree now holds pride of place in the courtyard and can be viewed from most areas of the inpatient ward. It is inspirational for patients, staff and doctors. Patients will continue to use the tree to write inspirational messages, either by writing on the bark or hanging a message from the branches.

MOVEMBER MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGE
 

MOvember is an annual highlight for Healthe Care staff, doctors, suppliers, family and friends, with our MOBros and MOSistas joining together in support of men’s health, by growing MOs or raising money and MOving for MOvember.This year across our Healthe Care network, we had raised almost $6580 towards the fight against prostate cancer, testicular cancer and awareness of men's  mental health issues and suicide prevention.

 

Focus on patients to provide high quality services

 

NEW $9.5M DAY ONCOLOGY CENTER FOR SOUTH EASTERN PRIVATE

South Eastern Private Hospital is nearing the finish line on a $9.5m redevelopment, which will see the opening of a state-of-the-art day oncology centre that provides holistic care for cancer patients. 

The new purpose-built facility will increase the capacity for day chemotherapy treatments by about 30 per cent while providing new, modern patient spaces and break-out areas, along with a range of supporting services. The 12-month building program is expected to be completed in the coming weeks, paving the way for the new centre to welcome its first patients in mid-January 2021. 

"Modern healthcare identifies three key components to cancer treatment and recovery - medical intervention including chemotherapy, mental health support, and ongoing physical activity and rehabilitation - and we are the only hospital in the region to offer all three under one-roof," says Andrew. The expanded day oncology service will offer 18 chairs, an increase from the existing 12, allowing it to service about 700 chemotherapy visits per month, up from about 500 currently. 

 

 
Artist impression of South Eastern Private's new day oncology centre

 

FORSTER PRIVATE CELEBRATES 50TH JUBILEE AT FORSTER PRIVATE HOSPITAL

Staff and patients, past and present, joined members of the Cape Hawke Community Hospital and Health Association recently to celebrate the 50th Anniversary Jubilee of Forster Private Hospital on its current site at South Street, Forster on the NSW Mid North Coast.

The community event included the launch of a historical book 'Built on Roast Beef & Apple Pie' which has been compiled and written by Cape Hawke Health's President, Roger Lynch. The book which recounts the origins of the Hospital and its storied past over the last 70 years, took centre stage alongside a special History Wall which was unveiled at the Hospital.

 

Corporate Social Responsibility

Luye Life Sciences not only pursues innovation, but also supports education and assumes corporate social responsibility. Recently, The Luye Pharma Scholarship of Yantai University, the Luye Biomedicine Innovation Fund of Peking University, and the Luye Prize grant of Peking University Health Science Center have been successively distributed to support education, encourage innovation, assist talent cultivation, and cheer for love.