Introducing Wren: the Women’s Recovery Network

This transformative mental health service - the result of a partnership between Alfred Health, Ramsay Health Care and Goulburn Valley Health - will support more than 750 Victorian women each year with a range of complex conditions, including those who have experienced trauma and sexual abuse, eating disorders and women experiencing perinatal mental health issues.

Featuring 24 acute inpatient mental health places at Ramsay Clinic Albert Road, the Wren service model was co-designed in consultation with women with lived experience and will help ease pressure on the public system by delivering care for public patients in a private setting.

Jennifer Babb, Alfred Health psychiatrist and Director of Wren, emphasised the pivotal role played by those with lived experiences in shaping the centre’s vision.

“We understood that things needed to be different for women to be able to recover in this sort of environment, and we have created an environment that is healing,” she said.

“We have authentically taken the co-design process and incorporated that into every aspect of developing Wren. People with lived experience have been vital in the process, which is really important to ensure the network reflects the needs of its clients.

Wren also has six hospital-in-the-home places in Melbourne, which allow for choice and flexible care, meeting women where they are most comfortable.

The ‘hub and spoke’ model, with Albert Road as a base, will eventually see women from across Victoria able to access the service. Late last year, the Shepparton service was launched and has been well-received by the community.

The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System heard that many women face gender-based harm or abuse in the mental health system and recommended a specific service for women, ensuring gender and sexual safety for women in acute inpatient settings.

Petra Glare, CEO Ramsay Clinic Albert Road, said Wren was created as a direct result of that recommendation – with Alfred Health, Ramsay Health, Goulburn Valley Health and the Victorian Government coming together to realise the unique model of care.

“The Women’s Recovery Network is the first public and private health service partnership of its kind and Ramsay Mental Health are proud to be part of this innovative service transformation,” she said.

“At Ramsay Clinic Albert Road, we have built a warm and welcoming, safe space for women to receive care, support and treatment.”

A remarkable 131 individuals with lived experience actively participated in the co-design consultation, alongside key organizations such as Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA), Tandem, Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC), Eating Disorders Victoria (EDV), and Women’s Health Victoria.

Consumers will be able to access the service via referral. Visit the Wren website for more information.