Ramsay Newsroom
State-of-the-art ECT suite opens at Ramsay Clinic Adelaide to support South Australians needing mental health treatment
April 11, 2025
More South Australians living with severe mental health conditions will have access to critical treatment, with the opening of a new, purpose-built Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) suite at Ramsay Clinic Adelaide.
Psychiatrist Dr Tom Paterson said ECT had shown to be one of the most effective treatments for severe depression and the new suite was designed to offer a safe and supportive space for local patients to access the vital therapy.
“ECT is almost certainly the most effective treatment in psychiatry,” Dr Paterson said.
“In cases of major depressive disorder, response rates range from 60 to 80 percent, which is extraordinary. Given that Ramsay Clinic Adelaide is the only private psychiatric hospital in the state, it’s essential that private patients have access to what is often a life-saving treatment.”
ECT is performed under light anaesthetic, using a carefully controlled electrical current to induce a brief, modified seizure. While the exact mechanism isn’t fully understood, it is believed to stimulate brain chemicals and even new brain cell growth – helping to relieve symptoms of severe mental illness when other treatments have failed.
Dr Paterson said the ECT suite was designed to meet growing community need for timely access to mental health treatment.
“We’ve been providing this treatment since the late 1980s but, as demand increased, the need for a modern facility became clear. This new space allows us to continue providing safe, effective ECT to patients in a purpose-built, state-of-the-art environment.”
Ramsay Clinic Adelaide CEO Tamara Priesley said the new ECT suite would improve access to evidence-based mental health treatments.
“Ramsay Clinic Adelaide is committed to supporting the mental health needs of South Australians. The opening of our new ECT suite is a testament to Ramsay’s dedication to offering leading mental health services in the region, with a focus on improving accessibility and patient outcomes,” Ms Priesley said.
“This new suite complements our recent addition of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) services, providing patients with a comprehensive range of cutting-edge treatment options.”
The Hon. Chris Picton MP, Minister for Health and Wellbeing, officially opened the new suite.
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