Good news for Mornington Peninsula residents, with a new psychiatrist-led mental health program for people living with PTSD and TRD (treatment-resistant depression) set to operate locally, strengthening access to specialist care in the region.
Avive Health and Emyria Limited have announced the Victorian expansion of their Empax clinic partnership, confirming Avive Clinic Mornington Peninsula as the state’s first hospital-based site under the program.
Following the announcement, STPL News contacted Avive Health to seek further details about the program, its operation and access pathways.
A timely boost for local mental health care
The Empax Clinic at Avive Clinic Mornington Peninsula is expected to be operational in the second half of year, July to September 2026, subject to standard regulatory approvals and completion of fit-out works.
The announcement is expected to be welcomed locally, with many residents currently required to travel significant distances or face lengthy waits from referral to first appointment to access specialised mental health services.
Purpose-built facility in Mount Eliza
The program will operate from Avive Clinic Mornington Peninsula, 1 St Johns Lane, Mount Eliza.
The Mount Eliza site is a 63-bed private mental health hospital, established in 2023, and purpose-built to deliver contemporary mental health care in a hospital setting.
Specialist services delivered locally
Avive will provide dedicated, licensed private hospital space for the delivery of Emyria’s Empax outpatient programs, bringing psychiatrist-led assisted therapies directly to the Mornington Peninsula.
The program is focused on the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD), conditions that can be complex to treat and often require specialist intervention.
Clear referral pathways for patients
Access to the Empax Clinic will be via referral from a treating clinician.
Referrals are currently accepted from general practitioners and psychiatrists, with referrals also supported through Department of Veterans’ Affairs pathways where relevant. All referrals will be reviewed to confirm patient suitability.
Investment in local clinical capacity
Preparatory work is underway ahead of the local commencement, with clinical recruitment now in progress.
The rollout includes opportunities for clinicians based on and near the Mornington Peninsula, supporting the local health workforce while improving access to specialised mental health care for the community.
Further details regarding commencement, intake processes and service capacity are expected to be confirmed closer to the local start date.
