What’s happening?
A new mental health clinic has opened in Townsville, adding another care option for local residents.
The clinic was opened by Councillor Vera Dirou, with a Welcome to Country by Uncle Gavin Kum Sing. It sits alongside an existing family clinic, an urgent care clinic, and optical and dental services.
Why it matters?
The aim is to help reduce the health outcome gap faced by people in regional Queensland.
Many Townsville residents experience limited access to local services compared with people in major cities. The new clinic is intended to support better access and more connected care.
Local Impact
Bupa Mental Health Director Andrea Christie-David said the clinic was shaped through extensive talks with local groups.
“We listened to consumer and First Nations health representatives, local health providers, Garrison health members, and the Australian Psychological Society who shared their views on how we can best complement and diversify the existing services in the community.”
She said the combined care model brings important benefits. “Bringing Mindplace to Townsville enables us to provide local residents, including defence force members and their families with added convenience and accessibility to mental health and other vital services under the one roof, where residents can see a Psychologist, as well as have their physical needs supported by an Occupational Therapist or Exercise Physiologist.”
Ms Christie-David said the clinic will continue to adjust based on community needs. “Through our co-design workshop, we heard that collaborative care and support for patients leaving hospital was vital, so we are going to continue to evolve our multidisciplinary approach to provide continuity of care and improved access to funding.”
By the numbers
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Research shows 2 in 5 people find it difficult to manage their health and wellbeing due to cost, time and work pressures.
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The clinic forms part of a larger group of health services in Townsville intended to close regional gaps.
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The site brings mental and physical health support together in one location to make access easier.
Zoom In
The clinic was shaped through a co-design process. Local voices stressed the need for continuity of care, especially for people leaving hospital.
This feedback guided the clinic’s focus on joint care between psychologists, occupational therapists and exercise physiologists.
Zoom Out
Regional centres continue to face stronger pressure on access and service availability. The addition of this clinic highlights the rising need for mental health support across Queensland’s towns and cities; thus, many people still face hurdles linked to cost and time.
What to look for next?
The clinic’s team plans to refine its multidisciplinary model, and the focus will remain on collaborative care, continuity for people leaving the hospital, and improved access to funding.
