Keith Payne Unit

The Keith Payne Unit, located within Greenslopes Private Hospital, is a dedicated mental health facility providing specialised care for veterans and war widows. The unit offers a range of services tailored to the unique needs of its patients, focusing on conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety, and substance misuse issues. Treatment is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of professionals, which may include consultant psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health nurses, and other allied health practitioners.

The unit provides both inpatient and day-patient programmes, which are designed to support patients in their recovery. One of the key offerings is the Trauma Recovery Programme, specifically developed for serving and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force with a service-related PTSD diagnosis. This programme is one of the first of its kind in Australia and is funded by the Department of Veterans' Affairs. The unit is named in honour of Keith Payne, an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross for his actions during the Vietnam War.

In addition to the structured programmes, the Keith Payne Unit offers various therapeutic interventions. These can include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) courses for managing anxiety and anger, which are conducted as group sessions over several weeks. The overall approach to care is comprehensive, addressing not only the primary mental health condition but also associated challenges such as sleeping difficulties and relationship issues. The aim is to equip patients with skills and strategies for long-term wellbeing and relapse prevention.