Australia’s first women’s mental health hospital

ObjectiveTo describe the need for specialised women's mental health services and the development of Australia's first women's mental health hospital service in the 21st century.ConclusionWomen in Australia experience a high level of violence and trauma. Compounding their past experiences with sexual violence, Australian and United States data indicate that a significant percentage of inpatients experience sexual violence during a psychiatric admission. Despite many reviews of mental health service provision, co-gendered wards, with noted incidents of assault against women inpatients, continue to be the usual mode of service in both the public and private healthcare sectors in Australia. Inpatient and community therapeutic programmes have not met the special needs of women. The establishment of Australia's first women-only mental health hospital at Cabrini Health in 2021 demonstrates the feasibility and value of a specialised, trauma-focused and holistic model of care. These developments highlight the urgent need for broader service reform to ensure safe inpatient facilities and gender-focused therapeutic programs for women.