Expanding Primary Care Through New Mental Health Clinics

Bupa Australia has announced it is investing further in preventative primary healthcare which includes a new network of Mental Health clinics, supported by virtual health and Medical Centres to meet growing consumer demand.

Bupa will open its first Mindplace mental health clinic this month as part of a plan to open a further 9 clinics by the end of the year and have approximately 60 clinics by 2027. Mindplace will offer a safe, empathetic space with introductory psychologist matching consultations, integrated telehealth options and practical digital resources. Every Mindplace clinic and the services they provide will be open to all Australians, not just Bupa customers.

Bupa APAC CEO Nick Stone said Bupa’s significant investment into mental health compliments the investment already made into primary care and virtual care services, and reflects Bupa’s continued focus on integrated, connected care that helps join up healthcare services for Australians.

“By launching an extensive network of Mindplace mental health clinics, Bupa intends to play a pivotal role in meeting the ballooning demand for mental health support in our community. Our ambition is to work in partnership with the services already provided by the public system to ensure all Australians can access the mental health support they need,” Mr Stone said.

“This is a critical time for private providers to work with Government and public providers in meeting escalating demand and advocating for better solutions to help address Australia’s mental health crisis.

“Declining levels of mental health and difficulties accessing care are amongst the most pressing health challenges of our time, so the time is right for us to offer complementary in-person and virtual services, to help provide Australians with more choice in how they manage their mental wellbeing.

“Bupa’s commitment to mental health is not new, as we have been investing in mental health for many years through digital services like ThisWayUp and via the Bupa Foundation, which funds mental health programs from partners such as Kids Helpline and the Black Dog Institute.”

Mr Stone said we know mental wellbeing is deeply interconnected with physical health, social wellbeing, and resilience noting Australian government data that suggests 2 in 5 people will experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime, with 1 in 5 in the next 12 months.

The launch of Mindplace further supports Bupa’s investment in primary care in local communities, with more than 20 Medical Centres becoming part of Bupa’s primary care network since 2024, offering integrated GP and broader allied healthcare services, three of which also operate as Urgent Care Clinics. 

Bupa Health Services Managing Director, Liz Curran, said these Medical Centre acquisitions and new openings demonstrate Bupa’s commitment to investing in primary care and GPs through support and training opportunities.

“It’s been a busy 12 months, but we are on our way to achieving our ambition of making healthcare easier, more connected, and more accessible for everyone, not just Bupa customers,” Ms Curran said.

“Over the coming year, we aim to roll-out further Medical Centres across Australia to boost GP accessibility and ensure more people can get the right care in the ‘right place’ at the right time.

“GPs are the backbone of the Australian health system and know the needs of their patients better than anyone else. We want to work with them to make sure they have innovative tools, including digital, and support to thrive and offer the best possible patient care,” Ms Curran said.

Bupa is also supporting in-person care with digital services through Blua, which offers Health Insurance customers access to 3 gap-free 24/7 doctor consults and integrated online chemist delivery services.

Ms Curran said Bupa supported full clinical autonomy for all medical practitioners which is fundamental to delivering optimal health outcomes.

The growing network of Bupa Medical Centres and Mindplace mental health clinics helps support the careers of existing and aspiring GP and mental health professionals who will be able to build their expertise with the option of working across the broad spectrum of Bupa’s Health Services offerings.

“This includes Medical Centres, Medical Visa Service clinics, Australian Defence Force Healthcare provisioning and Blua telehealth, giving them variety and flexibility in their careers,” Ms Curran said.

Bupa continues to consult closely with Federal and State governments, medical professionals, and key stakeholder groups to ensure it meets the needs of a growing, ageing population while supporting the Australian health system.