ANMF calls on THS to reconsider closure of Tolosa Street

2 May 2025

Media Doorstop
Who: Phoebe Mansell, ANMF Tasmania Acting Branch Secretary
Time: 12:30pm
Where: ANMF Office: 182 Macquarie Street, Hobart

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch today calls on the Tasmanian Health Service to urgently reconsider its proposal to close the Tolosa Street Mental Health facility in Glenorchy.

ANMF Acting Branch Secretary Phoebe Mansell warned the community stands to lose vital public mental health services under the plan.

“The proposal, outlined in the THS’s ‘Tolosa Street to Bellette Place Transition’ change document, would effectively reduce access to essential mental health services and represents a step toward privatising care that should remain in the public system,” Ms Mansell said.

“The Tolosa Street facility provides more than just residential support – it offers crucial step up/step down care that relieves pressure on the Royal Hobart Hospital’s Mental Health Inpatient Unit.

“Under its proposal, the THS plans to hand over this public service to a private provider, Richmond Futures.

“Of the proposed 26 beds at the new Bellette Place facility in Chigwell, 16 are already spoken for – earmarked to replace beds from an existing Richmond Futures site. That leaves only 10 beds to ‘replace’ the 12 currently available at Tolosa.”

Ms Mansell said this represents a net loss of 2 beds at a time when demand for mental health services is growing.

“Let’s be clear: services are not being maintained—they’re being cut. And it’s happening under the guise of a transition.”

Even more concerning, Ms Mansell revealed the existing budget for Tolosa Street will be redirected to fund the private facility, despite it being a reduction in service.

“The THS is effectively paying a private provider to deliver fewer beds and less support than what is currently provided under the public system. This is not just a cut – it’s a quiet privatisation of mental health care.”

The ANMF is urging the THS to scrap the proposed transition and reinvest in the Tolosa Street facility or an equivalent public alternative.

“A strong public mental health system is essential for community wellbeing. The ANMF calls on the Government and the THS to halt this proposal and commit to properly resourcing public mental health care – not outsourcing it.”

Media Contact: A.Mark Thomas, M&M Communications, 0422 006 732

Updates are correct as of 2 May 2025.
Authorised by Phoebe Mansell, Acting ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary