Brisbane Waters Private Hospital celebrates dual milestone occasion
Brisbane Waters Private Hospital celebrated a milestone occasion when it officially opened the Central Coast’s first private mental health facility in conjunction with its 30th Anniversary.
More than 50 hospital staff, community and government representatives attended the Anniversary celebration and opening of The Central Coast Clinic at Brisbane Waters Private Hospital on November 19.
Member for Robertson Ms Belinda Neal MP, Member for Gosford Ms Marie Andrews MP, Aboriginal representative Ms Anita Selwyn and Gosford Councillor Mr Jeff Strickson attended the event along with a number of representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Ms Marie Andrews, who officially opened The Central Coast Clinic, said it was a great delight and honour to celebrate the dual occasion for the hospital.
“I‘ve had the occasion to visit someone at The Central Coast Clinic and I must say they do a great job,” Ms Andrews said.
“Health experts have expressed that our challenge for the future will be mental health issues”.
“This is predicted to be one of the leading health issue facing Australia in the future and I am very pleased that Brisbane Waters Private Hospital has acknowledged this and taken the time and the care to open up the Central Coast Clinic.”
The Central Coast Clinic has eight private rooms and two twin-share rooms available, totalling 12 beds. The clinic occupies its own special separate section in the hospital.
Clinical Director Dr Larissa Grund said the Central Coast Clinic was “a real step forward” for the Coast
“Resilience is a key word when we think about mental health because that is what we want to enhance and promote in all our patients”.
“I think it is going to be really important for us all to work together to continue to break down the barriers and promote excellence in mental health care.”
“We are already at 100 per cent occupancy at The Central Coast Clinic and have a waiting list of patients to be admitted to the clinic. Occupancy was 100 per cent within less than 10 days of the opening which is a great achievement.”
Ms Czerkesow said the new mental health clinic was opened to patients on October 22.
“We have been approved for 12 beds by The Department of Health and have made application for this to be expanded to 16 beds”.
“The mental health team at The Central Coast Clinic offers a range of quality inpatient services for people experiencing mental health challenges.
“Our experienced and dynamic team of health professionals provide a supportive and focused environment designed to promote recovery”.
“We offer inpatient care for patients suffering from psychiatric disorders such as Depression, Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Mood disorders, Psychoses and Bi-polar disorder.”
“In the 1997 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing of Adults which was based on diagnostic criteria rather than self reporting, almost one in five adults (18 per cent) had a mental disorder at some time during the twelve months prior to the survey”.
“Only 38 per cent of adults and one quarter of children and young people experiencing a mental health disorder seek assistance from a health service”.
“This is an alarming statistic which the Central Coast Clinic aims to improve on.
“Now, as the only dedicated private mental health facility on the Central Coast we will be able to provide a first class, comprehensive specialist service to both inpatients and outpatients.”
Brisbane Waters Private Hospital will continue to provide the community with its highly regarded interventional cardiology and cardiac surgical services, the 24 hour Emergency Chest Pain Service still continues, as well as the other Specialist Medical and Surgical services.
Brisbane Waters Private Hospital General Manager Ms Annette Czerkesow said “This occasion is a huge milestone for both the community and the hospital. The services we offer are unique as we have a high acuity case mix”.
“Some of our milestones at the hospital include in excess of 17,000 interventional procedures and more than 1,355 heart bypass operations”.
“The hospital provides a full range of cardiac services and of course by providing them here it enables people to be treated locally so they do not have to travel outside the area.
“ I think the services at this hospital are so good because of the staff, who are very dedicated and carry out their duties professionally and always in a caring manner”.
Further information on The Central Coast Clinic is available by contacting Simon Connor Nurse Unit Manager on PH: 4341 9522.
Pictured (from left to right) are: Dr John Caska (previous hospital owner), Ms Marie Andrews MP (Member for Gosford) and Ms Annette Czerkesow (Hospital GM).