Bringing Global Expertise to Australia

Over the weekend, Belmont Private Hospital became the centre of collaboration and innovation, as Aurora Healthcare hosted internationally recognised psychiatrist Professor Nicolas Garel for an exclusive training workshop with clinicians from across the Aurora network.

While this visit was first introduced earlier this year, the delivery of the workshop marks an important milestone — bringing global expertise directly into the Australian private mental health setting through the leadership of Aurora Healthcare and Belmont Private Hospital.

From international connection to local impact

Prof Garel, a Canadian-based psychiatrist and clinician-researcher, is known globally for his work in emerging treatment models for complex mood disorders, including treatment-resistant depression. His research, including the widely recognised “Montreal Model”, continues to shape modern psychiatric practice internationally.

This opportunity was made possible through a longstanding professional connection between Prof Garel and a Belmont Private Hospital psychiatrist who trained under him overseas — a connection Aurora proactively leveraged to bring this expertise to Australia.

By facilitating this visit, Aurora Healthcare and Belmont Private Hospital have not only connected their clinicians with global leaders — they have effectively brought world-class training onshore, ensuring Australian psychiatrists can access cutting-edge insights without leaving the country.

A rare and valuable opportunity for Aurora clinicians

The two-day workshop brought together psychiatrists from across the Aurora network, creating a unique opportunity to engage directly with one of the leading voices in contemporary mental health care.

Training focused on:

• Advancing approaches to treatment-resistant depression
• Exploring emerging medication-assisted therapies within broader therapeutic frameworks
• Strengthening clinical confidence in evolving areas of psychiatry
• Encouraging collaboration and shared learning across hospitals

Importantly, the workshop fostered open discussion — allowing clinicians to explore how international models can be thoughtfully adapted within Australian clinical and regulatory contexts.

Leading in a rapidly evolving space

The importance of this training is underscored by growing national and global interest in innovative mental health treatments, particularly for patients who have not responded to traditional therapies.

With increased awareness and discussion of emerging therapies in both media and clinical settings, there is a clear need for structured, evidence-based frameworks to support their safe and appropriate use.

Aurora recognises that staying at the forefront of this evolving landscape requires more than awareness — it requires active investment in clinician education, global collaboration, and clinical governance.

This initiative is a strong example of that commitment in action.

Delivering on Aurora’s commitment to clinical excellence

The successful delivery of this training reflects Aurora Healthcare’s broader philosophy: investing in people, fostering collaboration, and ensuring access to the very best global expertise.

By working closely with Belmont Private Hospital to bring Prof Garel to Australia, Aurora has demonstrated leadership in:

• Facilitating international knowledge exchange
• Strengthening clinical capability across its network
• Supporting innovation grounded in evidence-based practice

Investing in better outcomes for patients

Ultimately, this initiative is about improving outcomes for patients.

By equipping clinicians with access to global insights and emerging frameworks, Aurora Healthcare continues to strengthen its ability to support individuals experiencing complex mental health conditions — particularly those with treatment-resistant disorders.

The Belmont Private Hospital hosted workshop is more than a training event. It is a clear example of how Aurora Healthcare and Belmont Private Hospital are actively shaping the future of mental health care in Australia — by bringing the world’s leading expertise directly to the clinicians who need it most.