Shepparton (Ambermere Hospital late 1920s-1967; Amberemere Psychiatric Hospital 1967-1996)

Full description

In the late 1920s, the private home Ambermere in Shepparton, became a private hospital and operated mainly as an out-patient clinic for psychiatric patients.

In 1967, clinical services were established at Ambermere Psychiatric Clinic, auspiced by the Mooroopna Base Hospital. A Psychiatrist Superintendent was appointed to oversee out-patient treatment and also treat in-patients at Mooroopna Base Hospital.

Two sessions were held every fortnight, and a steady flow of new referrals continued to be seen, as well as a considerable number of reviews of patients previously treated. A part-time social worker was also consulted at Ambermere.

Throughout 1968, one outpatient session was held per week at the Mooroopna Base Hospital. Many inpatients of the Base Hospital received treatment from the Psychiatrist Superintendent of Ambermere in his capacity as Honorary Visiting Psychiatrist to the Base Hospital.

Only outpatients continued to be assessed and treated at Ambermere. Building renovations continued throughout 1968. The new combined occupational therapy and outpatients building was completed in November, and during December the clinic activities were transferred to this building.

In late August 1968 a full-time Secretary, akin to an executive officer, was appointed to Ambermere, allowing for much more detailed planning for the future development of the unit. Day-to-day administration became more flexible and efficient than had previously been possible when Ambermere depended on periodic visits from the Secretary at Beechworth mental Hospital (VA 2842).

In 1968, Ambermere had no medical staff apart from the Psychiatrist Superintendent. In 1969, Ambermere and the other clinics held regularly at Mooroopna, Echuca and Benalla, had nearly 3,000 out-patient attendances, with about 400 new cases. During that year a Medical Officer was appointed to take over a number of cases requiring repeated visits to the clinic.
Ambermere was able to offer in-patient treatment when a 20 bed patient unit opened on 1 July 1970.

The Psychiatrist Superintendent continued to see all new referrals, as well as all patients at the outlying clinics. An occupational therapy program was established during the year, and two charge nurses were appointed to work with the occupational therapist, conduct domiciliary visits in association with the social workers, and perform general clinic duties.

Once a full-time social worker and a case aide were appointed, it was possible to establish the elements of a day hospital. The Echuca and Benalla Clinics continued to be conducted twice per fortnight.

In 1987, Ambermere Hospital, Shepparton became an approved psychiatric hospital. In 1995, this approval was revoked and 'transferred' to the Ambermere Unit, Goulburn Valley Base Hospital.

In 1996, Ambermere closed after it ceased to be an approved psychiatric unit.