Jamie Larcombe Centre at Adelaide's Glenside specialises in treating military veterans for post traumatic stress
The Jamie Larcombe Centre for veterans' mental health is part of the Glenside Health Service precinct in Adelaide.
A $15 million veterans’ mental health precinct opened at Adelaide's Glenside Health Service in 2017 includes Australia’s first post-traumatic stress research centre. The Jamie Larcombe Centre, named after a South Australian soldier killed in action in Afganistan in 2011, was built to accommodate services previously provided by Ward 17 at the Repatriation General Hospital.
The centre, part of Transforming Health, includes:
- an ambulatory service incorporating outpatient treatment and a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) service
- 24 single rooms with ensuites
- outpatient rooms
- a gymnasium
- research spaces
- memorial garden
- a children’s playground for families.
It also works with the Australian Centre of Excellence for Post-Traumatic Stress.
A partnerships hub in the heritage building next door to the centre enables veterans and their families to access information and services to support their individual needs.
Sapper Jamie Larcombe, born on Kangaroo Island, joined the Australian Army in 2008. He was deployed as an engineer to Indonesia on a humanitarian mission following a major earthquake and to Afghanistan as part of Operation Slipper. He was killed there by a sniper in his role of combat engineer clearing away improvised explosive devices.
Larcombe grew up in Kangaroo Island at Parndana, established as a soldier settlement after World War II and featuring the soldier settlement museum. A CFS volunteer, Larcombe played football for Western Districts, wearing the No.23 of his hero: Adelaide Crows’ legend Andrew McLeod.