St John of God Richmond Hospital opens state-of-the-art wellness centre

7 Aug 2023

It is part of a $65 million redevelopment that will deliver contemporary mental health care that builds connection, improves lives and transforms the way care is provided, particularly for first responders and veterans.

Officially opened by Patron the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove, the wellness centre contains a new gym; a group room for yoga, meditation and meetings; exercise physiology treatment rooms and a large indoor swimming pool with shower facilities. 

St John of God Richmond Hospital Chief Executive Officer Colman O’Driscoll, said the centre represented the first-class standard of care that veterans and first responders deserved.

“We need to be giving these people, who dedicate their lives to the service of others, every opportunity for recovery and rehabilitation when they are suffering as a result of that service,” he said. 
Mr O’Driscoll, said research demonstrated the important role exercise plays in addressing mental health conditions.

“We are providing crucial interventions here and looking at exercise as medicine in the treatment of mental health conditions. 

“Reconnecting people with physical activity in new ways, or for the first time, creates important patterns that support recovery.” 

On admission to the St John of God Richmond Hospital, 70 per cent of military veterans and 85 per cent of first responders are diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

“We know exercise impacts PTSD, addiction and anxiety in a positive way, with research showing that forming healthy new habits is effective in reducing symptoms. We’ve had exercise physiology as part of our programs here at Richmond for many years,” Mr O’Driscoll said. 

St John of God Health Care Chair of Trauma Professor Zach Steel, said the wellness centre was one of the best he had ever seen in Australia.  

“People often forget about the horrendous impact that conditions like PTSD can have on the physical health of those affected by this injury. Research has confirmed that not only is there an overall reduction in life expectancy but also increased rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and a range of other preventable conditions in those who suffer PTSD. 

“It is essential, therefore, that treatment programs focus on the whole person. We were one of the first to carry out trials on the effect of exercise in PTSD treatment and now St John of God Richmond Hospital has placed both physical and mental wellbeing at the heart of our programs with the opening of this new centre.”      

Mr O’Driscoll said the next milestone of the St John of God Richmond Hospital redevelopment, to be opened in late October, would include 112-private rooms, with the historic 130-year-old Belmont House remaining a prominent and treasured feature of the new design.

Image (left to right): St John of God Foundation Chief Executive Officer Bianca Pietralla, St John of God Burwood and Richmond Hospitals Chief Executive Officer Coleman O'Driscoll, St John of God Health Care Chief Executive Officer Bryan Pyne, Patron the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove and St John of God Board member James McMahon.