By CASEY NEILL
PINELODGE is just one piece of a psychiatric system struggling to meet demand for drug, alcohol and mental health support.
The ice epidemic has highlighted shortfalls in public services in recent months.
But the St John of God clinic on Heatherton Road, Dandenong, caters for a different demographic.
The 54-bed private hospital specialises in mental health and drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and offers in-patient and day therapy programs.
Its “gatekeeper” Ailsa, a nurse with 45 years’ experience, receives and documents up to 300 calls a month.
CEO Graham Cadd said inquiries ranged from requests for admissions from doctors and patients to calls for general advice.
“Some people just need a bit of help and guidance,” he said.
Mr Cadd said patients generally needed a doctor’s referral for admission and had to “collaborate and co-operate” with staff.
“The doors are not locked,” he said.
“We can’t make orders. We have no way of enforcing.”
He said the clinic had to be confident it could handle the patient, and this wasn’t often the case with street ice users.
“If they’re on ice they’re more chaotic,” he said.
“We’re working with a particular demographic.
“You’ve got to have people that fit your environment.
“There’s no point bringing people in if we can’t help them.
“Otherwise we’re gonna fail and they’re gonna fail.”
A major expansion in 2002 added 30 more single rooms, new lounge areas and group areas, and outdoor courtyards and recreation areas.
Further growth is on the cards for Pinelodge.
The clinic rents 30 car parking spaces from the church next door to meet demand, and has bought surrounding land with a view to building new facilities.
Spokeswoman Sally-Ann Parker said waiting lists depended on the service patients were looking for and that the private clinic was just one component of the psychiatric system.
“We’re a little tiny chip in this great big piece of work,” she said.
