The Tasmanian government says it will not purchase the building of Healthscope's mental health facility, which includes the 8-bed mother and baby unit.
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St Helens Private Hospital announced that it will close its mental health operations in June due to multimillion-dollar repairs needed for the Hobart-city located heritage-listed building.
Tasmanians affected by a range of mental health conditions such as depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorders and substance use disorders, will now have one less place to go for support.
The lost operations include 31 beds for mental health patients, and eight beds for Tasmanian mothers and babies experiencing post natal depression and anxiety.
It includes the loss of electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation services and alcohol and drug treatment inpatient services and day programs.
Greens member Rosalie Woodruff asked Premier Jeremy Rockliff whether the government would purchase the building of the hospital to maintain the lost services.
Mr Rockliff said Tasmanians deserved contemporary and modern facilities and would not purchase the site.
He said it was a landlocked, heritage site and not fit for the purpose of health care services.
"Work is being undertaken with other providers within the Tasmanian health service to explore more options when it comes to those facilities," Mr Rockliff said.
"We are committed, as you have seen, to modern, contemporary, 21st century health environments for patients, most importantly, but also our hardworking staff as well."
This week the government announced it would start a 3-bed mother and baby service at the Royal Hobart Hospital to replace the lost 8-bed private service.
It has also had discussions with other service sectors, and promised that all services at St Helens would be addressed in any new government services.
An Alcohol, Tobacco, and other Drugs Council Tasmania spokesperson said it had assurances that like- support services would resume.
"We are advised that the Tasmanian Government has given assurances that all services currently provided at St Helens, including alcohol and drug support services, will be included in the final government response," they said.
"This is a welcome commitment. The ATDC will keep a watching brief on the issue as it evolves and stands ready to work with government on a solution."
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