Berwick’s newest mental health hospital St John of God’s Langmore Centre will begin admitting patients on Wednesday 3 August.
The 60-bed inpatient service will cater to people living with a range of mild to moderate mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, addiction dependency and perinatal mental health concerns.
In addition to individual and group therapy sessions, patients will have access to art and music therapy, pastoral care services, a neuro-stimulation suite for ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) and rTMS (repetitive trans-cranial magnetic stimulation) treatments (where applicable), pet therapy, a sensory room and garden, as well as an onsite exercise studio.
Langmore Centre chief executive officer Linda Allen said mental health services are in high demand along Melbourne’s South East growth corridor.
“Mental health conditions are common in our communities, with one in five people affected,” she said.
“The opening of this facility means people can access the care and support they need closer to home. And we’re really proud to be able to provide such an important and intrinsic service to the residents of Casey, Cardinia and beyond.”
Ms Allen said the $18 million redevelopment of the Gibb Street centre boasts a highly skilled team of mental health professionals, equipped to deliver the best possible patient care.
“Depending on individual needs, patients will be supported by a variety of mental health nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, art and music therapists, pastoral care practitioners and exercise physiologists,” she said.
“At the Langmore Centre we take a holistic approach to patient recovery with services offered to treat a patient’s entire being. This means, not only addressing their mental health condition but their physical, emotional and spiritual needs as well.”
General Manager for SJGHC’s South East Melbourne Hospitals Lisa Norman, said the organisation prides itself on responding promptly to local community need.
“Not only does the Langmore Centre complement our broad suite of existing services, enabling us to care for the physical health of our patients from birth through to senior years, it now also allows us to address the mental health and wellness of our patients throughout each stage of their lives as well,” she said.
The Langmore Centre is located on the former site of St John of God Berwick Hospital, which relocated to Kangan Drive in January 2018.
St John of God Health Care, a leading Catholic not-for-profit health care group, serves communities with hospitals, home nursing, and social outreach services throughout Australia and New Zealand.
