ANMF Supporting Members Amid Hobart Clinic Closure

18 September, 2025

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch will today support members at The Hobart Clinic following the announcement of the closure of the clinic by October 31.

ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary, Emily Shepherd said this news comes as a shock to members who have been providing in-patient care to mental health clients at the facility for around 40 years.

“The closure not only affects ANMF members and their employment but also those within the Tasmanian community seeking in-patient mental health services,” Ms Shepherd said.

“The closure of Hobart Clinic is incredibly distressing for our members and no doubt for previous and current clients.

“This closure follows the closure of the St Helens Private Hospital inpatient mental health facility in 2023.

“This is extremely concerning, given it will further limit access to in-patient mental health care in the private sector and again raises the risk associated with private for-profit entities rapidly withdrawing health services from the Tasmanian community.”

Ms Shepherd said the ANMF will be on site with members over the coming days providing support and advice to members.

“The ANMF has welcomed the offer from the Tasmanian Health Service of employment for those nurses who will need to find alternate employment and will be exploring re-deployment options, if any, for members at the Mind Hub site.

“It is pleasing that the Department of Health has moved quickly to offering positions to those nurses who require employment from October 31, particularly given the in-demand nature of those nurses with mental health qualifications.

“Hopefully this will also pave the way for the Tasmanian Health Service to return the provision of increased in-patient mental health services, including TMS to public hands.”

Ms Shepherd said the ANMF understands that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation services will be offered through the MindHub clinic, which was a service that was also previously offered through St Helens Private Hospital.

“This latest news and the previous closure of St Helens Private Hospital and Healthscope nationally going into receivership, highlights the inherent risk associated with dedicated reliance on private providers delivering essential health care in Tasmania and across Australia.

“The ANMF will continue discussions with the Federal Government regarding the concerns related to the private health care system in Australia.”