MENTAL HEALTH BOOST FOR REGION
TOOWOOMBA’S newest specialised mental health clinic will start welcoming patients from next month, much to the delight of the organisation’s leadership team.
The Toowoomba Clinic, a near-$9 million private facility just down the road from the Toowoomba Hospital on Pechey St, celebrated its launch on Saturday.
The clinic will feature 27 luxurious beds for inpatient services, which resemble high-end hotel rooms, along with a range of outpatient and group therapy facilities.
Clinic CEO and director of nursing Bronwyn McCullagh, who has extensive experience in mental health, said it would also support about 25 jobs once fully staffed.
She said there was a clear need for private mental health services on the Darling Downs.
“St Andrew’s Hospital has a waiting list all the time (for its unit), and what it will do is take the pressure of that waiting times,” Ms McCullagh said.
“People will also have choice, which is also great for the community.
“People can be self-funded, they can come under the Department of Veterans’ Affairs or WorkCover, but most of them will be private health insurance-funded.”
The clinic was funded by a consortium of like-minded investors, with work starting on the project about six years ago.
Clinical director Dr Andrea Boros-Lavack paid tribute to Ms McCullagh for providing more momentum for the project.
Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio helped open the building on Saturday, highlighting the importance of strong mental health services.