An Aurora Partnership
Seamless and integrated mental health care available to everyone, when and where they need it.
In 2023, Aurora partnered with Medibank Private to introduce a new model of private mental health care.
The model focuses on providing flexible care pathways including a range of out-of-hospital services such as in-home care and telehealth, as well as care coordination which runs across all services both inpatient and community.
The iMH hospitals offer these services with no additional costs for patients with eligible private health insurance, apart from any excess or co-payment that would normally apply. These services are typically not included under a traditional psychiatric model of care in the private system.
Aimed at providing greater access, choice and flexibility to mental health services, the 50/50 joint venture, known as iMH, will initially invest $31 million into three hospitals delivering a combined 153 new mental health beds and comprehensive out-of-hospital support.
The partnership will draw on Aurora Healthcare’s established mental health expertise and the combined experience of both Aurora Healthcare and Medibank’s Amplar Health business in introducing innovative models of care across Australia.
Aurora Healthcare will contribute two hospitals in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory to iMH, with its Hirondelle Private Hospital in Chatswood to be converted into a 45-bed mental health facility, while Deakin Private Hospital in Canberra which opened in March 2023 features 52 beds, including the city’s first dedicated private adolescent and young adult unit.
The joint venture will invest in a new specially designed 56-bed mental health facility to be built in Alexandria, New South Wales.
There are four high-priority locations earmarked in the next 24 months for acquisition to further iMH’s footprint.