Hospital for mental health recovery closes

Wesley Hospital Kogarah, run by Wesley Mission, opened in 2014. It is a 30-bed facility that specialises in short stay mental health care, and offers inpatient and day patient programs for alcohol and drug addiction, anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and psychotic disorders.

Hospital management had been in negotiations with possible buyers regarding the potential sale of the site, and ongoing operations. A Wesley Mission spokesperson said following a period of due diligence with potential purchasers, the sale was unable to proceed.

At its meeting on February 22, the Wesley Mission Board agreed the hospital would close, with operations ceasing on April 12. The spokesperson said patients were informed on February 27.

The decision has devastated patients, many who rely on the programs to develop skills including identifying their triggers, and learning how to problem-solve and communicate, to improve their self-esteem and prevent relapse.

Elizabeth*, of Cronulla, a former inpatient of the hospital, attends the support groups. She fears without regular sessions, her mental health will deteriorate.

"My doctor and GP many years ago referred me. I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I suffer from depression," she said. "But Wesley has kept me very well over the years. I attend various courses that Wesley do of a day or night. It's teaching us how to handle situations, our lives, and meditation. The aim is that it keeps me balanced and I don't need the hospital. But if I did, I would be able to spend some time there."

She said the decision was unexpected. "They have kept it very hush hush," she said. "We have only been told that it was a financial [decision]. It's quite devastating to everyone to be given such short notice. We are talking about all these beds that are not going to be available in the south of Sydney anymore, and we don't know what's happening with our doctors - where they're going to be located.

She said there was a lack of empathy towards patients. "Not knowing anything is frightful and where we're going to go and what we're going to do," she said. "It's not a well-planned professional way of doing something to particularly people with mental health."

Another patient, Sutherland Shire resident Caron, said she, alongside other patients she contacted, did not know the hospital was closing.

"I found out last week from another patient whose doctor mentioned it," she said. "I'm so upset and angry. I was in hospital only two weeks ago. I suffer complex PTSD and panic disorder. It's distressing because I don't have family, it's my only place to go when I'm in crisis. It's a place of safety for many patients when they are very ill. People's lives are at risk."

Caron is also a former volunteer of Wesley Mission. "I've had the utmost admiration for the extraordinary work they do across so many areas, but something has shifted in the culture," she said.

"There has been no correspondence, or a chance to say goodbye to the staff who have been our lifeline."

On its website on March 6, after this masthead approach Wesley Mission for comment, it stated that it was thankful for the compassionate and dedicated care staff have given to people over the years.

The website also promotes its services as "consistently exceeding national mental health outcomes benchmarks", stating it is committed to providing community mental health services through its LifeForce suicide prevention network nationally and through Lifeline Sydney and Sutherland.

"All current patients will continue to be cared for in the hospitals until they are safe for discharge or admitted to another appropriate health facility if required," the spokesperson said.

The hospital's doctors and specialists, which include clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and allied health specialists, are private practitioners and not employees of Wesley Mission.

"There will be a continuity of care for many current patients as they will retain the services of their current psychiatrists after the closure," the spokesperson said.

Waratah Hospital, Hurstville, owned by Evolution Healthcare, offers similar support for patients undergoing mental health assistance. The Re-centre, which opened in 2021, is a private mental health service that delivers assessment and treatment of mental health challenges. It includes hospital stays with 31 beds, and day programs.

*name has been changed to protect the patient's privacy.

Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; Mensline 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732.