Aurora Strengthens Gold Coast Mental Health Services Under Unified Leadership

Aurora Strengthens Gold Coast Mental Health Leadership with Expanded CEO Appointment

Aurora Healthcare is pleased to announce the appointment of Heidi Smith as Chief Executive Officer of Aurora Gold Coast Hospitals, bringing together the leadership of Robina Private Hospital and Currumbin Clinic under a united vision for mental health, rehabilitation and specialist healthcare services on the Gold Coast.

A respected healthcare leader with extensive experience in private healthcare, Heidi has successfully led Robina Private Hospital through a period of significant growth, innovation and service development. Her expanded role reflects Aurora's commitment to strengthening collaboration across its Gold Coast hospitals while ensuring patients, clinicians and referrers have access to an increasingly connected network of specialised care.

“It’s a genuinely exciting time for mental health and rehabilitation services on the Gold Coast,” said Heidi. “We have an opportunity to build on the strengths of both hospitals, create clearer pathways into care, and continue developing innovative services that support the changing needs of our community.”

A Comprehensive Mental Health Network for the Gold Coast

Together, Currumbin Clinic and Robina Private Hospital provide one of the most comprehensive private mental health networks in South East Queensland, supporting patients across a broad range of mental health conditions, addictions and rehabilitation needs.

Each hospital brings distinct areas of expertise that complement one another.

Currumbin Clinic

For decades, Currumbin Clinic has played an important role in supporting mental health on the Gold Coast. The hospital is recognised for its specialised addiction and dual diagnosis services, trauma and PTSD treatment programs, and support for veterans, defence personnel and emergency service workers. It provides a therapeutic environment focused on recovery, resilience and long-term wellbeing.

Robina Private Hospital

Robina Private Hospital has developed nationally recognised expertise in eating disorder treatment, older persons mental health, adolescent and young adult mental health, and medical rehabilitation. The hospital also provides inpatient and day patient programs designed to support recovery beyond hospital admission, helping patients build skills and maintain progress in the community.

By working more closely together, the hospitals are able to offer broader treatment options and more seamless pathways for patients requiring different levels of support throughout their recovery journey.

Supporting the Growing Demand for Mental Health Care

Mental health support has never been more important. As awareness grows and more Australians seek help for mental health concerns, the need for accessible, high-quality treatment services continues to increase.

Aurora’s Gold Coast hospitals provide care across a wide spectrum of mental health presentations, including depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, addiction, eating disorders, personality disorders, older persons mental health and co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns.

Patients can access care through a range of treatment pathways, including inpatient programs, day programs, outpatient services and innovative virtual care options. This flexibility helps ensure treatment can be tailored to individual needs while supporting continuity of care throughout recovery.

Importantly, the Gold Coast community benefits from having local access to highly experienced psychiatrists, psychologists, nursing teams and allied health professionals who work collaboratively to provide evidence-based care in supportive therapeutic environments.

Strengthening Partnerships with Referrers

A key focus of Heidi’s leadership is strengthening engagement with GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists and allied health professionals throughout the region.

Aurora Healthcare continues to invest in clinician education, referral support and collaborative partnerships to help ensure patients can access timely and appropriate care. Through regular updates, educational events and direct communication with referrers, the Gold Coast hospitals aim to make referral pathways simpler and more accessible.

“We are fortunate to have an experienced and highly regarded team of psychiatrists, doctors, nurses and allied health professionals across both hospitals,” Heidi said. “Their knowledge, dedication and connection to the local community form the foundation of the care we provide every day.”

Looking Ahead

The expanded Aurora Gold Coast Hospitals leadership structure reflects a long-term commitment to growing services, improving access to specialised care and ensuring the Gold Coast community has access to high-quality mental health treatment close to home.

Under Heidi’s leadership, Aurora will continue exploring opportunities to enhance service offerings, strengthen clinical partnerships and deliver innovative models of care that support patients, families and referrers across the region.

As mental health needs continue to evolve, Aurora Gold Coast Hospitals remain focused on one goal: delivering compassionate, evidence-based care that helps people achieve lasting recovery and improved quality of life.