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Greenslopes Private Hospital reaches milestone with 100th cohort of PTSD program

8 September 2011

The Keith Payne Unit at Greenslopes Private Hospital is celebrating the 100th cohort of patients to undertake its Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Program for those who have experienced war-related trauma.

The program was the first in Queensland and was established in 1994 when Greenslopes was a repatriation hospital and psychiatric inpatient services were housed in one of the old pavilion ward blocks. In 1996 Ramsay Health Care opened a new modern, air-conditioned mental health facility offering inpatient, outpatient, day-hospital services, and recreational areas which was named the Keith Payne Unit in honour of Warrant Officer Keith Payne VC.

In 1969 whilst a member of the Australia Army Training Team in Vietnam, Keith Payne organised a fighting withdrawal and saved the lives of many of his men while under attack by a large force of North Vietnamese despite being wounded several times. In 1970, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth presented WO Payne with the Victoria Cross aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia in Brisbane.

As Greenslopes has transformed from a repatriation hospital to one of Australia's leading private hospitals it has continued to provide some special veteran services including mental health.

The Keith Payne Unit is recognised for its innovative programs delivered by a highly experienced multidisciplinary team including psychiatrists, mental health nurses, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and dieticians, many of whom have been at Greenslopes for many years.

The team's cohesive approach is one of the unit's strengths and many of the veteran patients who are treated at the Keith Payne Unit have developed long term relationships with the doctors and staff in KPU.

Director of Psychiatry, Dr John Gibson who has been involved with mental health services at Greenslopes Private Hospital since repatriation days is very proud of the success of the PTSD program that is now recognised as one of the most respected treatment programs in Australia and is accredited by the Australian Centre for Post Traumatic Mental Health.

Dr Gibson said that the programs and services offered through the Keith Payne Unit have been successful in improving the quality of life of many veterans from throughout Queensland for more than 15 years.

"We are enthusiastic about delivering programs such as the PTSD program to those veterans who might benefit," Dr Gibson said.

"The program works at managing a variety of symptoms and engaging in new activities that the veteran can enjoy as a means of overcoming social withdrawal and avoidant behaviours that disrupt the lives of people with PTSD."

The main symptoms clusters include re-experiencing (nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts), avoidance (withdrawing from society as crowds, noise, smells, places can trigger unwanted symptoms) and arousal (anger, hypervigilance).

"More recently we have seen a number of younger veterans and servicemen admitted as inpatient or day patients. The older veterans are very supportive and understanding of the younger men who are admitted and encourage them to participate and benefit from the programs," Dr Gibson said

The PTSD program is run over two days per week for ten weeks and is offered four times per year. It is delivered by a multidisciplinary team and covers a range of topics including:

• Understanding PTSD symptoms
  
• Managing hyperarousal levels and anger
  
• Challenging cognitions which underlie anger, anxiety and depression
  
• Relationships - communication with family, friends and service providers
  
• Motivation - tasks for self care - shopping, cleaning and enjoyable activities & hobbies
  
• dietary advice and cooking
  
• sleep management
  
• men's health and substance use/abuse

The program also offers individual counselling every week during the 10 week program or more often if required to help the veteran reach their own individual goals.

The program membership is comprised entirely of veterans and participants frequently express a feeling of trust towards fellow veterans and feeling united by a common sense of service related trauma.

Greenslopes Private Hospital is a major teaching facility and as such offers students the opportunity to gain relevant and practical experience throughout the hospital, including the Keith Payne Unit.
Staff's commitment to education and training extends beyond Greenslopes as they share their expertise with other Ramsay Health Care mental health facilities.

Registered Nurse Phil Hart was recently recognised for his dedication to student nurses when he received the award for HESTA Grad Plus Preceptor of the Month and was a finalist in the Preceptor of the Year. Phil's approach is to ensure student nurses get involved in all aspects of the delivery of the PTSD program.

Greenslopes Private Hospital CEO, Mark Page said that it was a wonderful milestone to have reached the 100th cohort for the PTSD program.

"This is testament to the great team of staff and consultant psychiatrists we have in the Keith Payne Unit. Additionally, credit must be given to the Department of Veterans' Affairs who have always been extremely supportive of this particular program and all the care and services provided in the unit," Mark said.

An official celebration for the 100th cohort of the PTSD program will be held during Veterans' Health Week in October.