Chief psychiatrist intervenes in Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service mental health care

Mount Gambier Hospital’s mental health services will undergo an overhall after an inspection deemed its post-emergency care, and reliance on police, were not up to standard.

Work is underway to address the state’s top psychiatrist’s concerns with the mental health care provided at Mount Gambier and Districts Service.

The results of a routine inspection have led to intervention by Office of the Chief Psychiatrist (OCP) in a move to monitor and manage the quality and safety of the hospital’s services.

This gazetted condition, which requires an intervention plan approved by chief psychiatrist Dr John Brayley, was put in place on Thursday and comes after continuous calls from the community for improved mental health services.

In March, Adam Scott-Gilbertson shared his experience with addiction and depression in hopes of increasing access to alcohol rehabilitation services in the region.

Adam Scott-Gilbertson attempted suicide and says he was told to go home after 12 hours at the Mount Gambier Hospital. Picture: Jessica Ball

The Compton man said he was only alive because the police broke down his door and foiled his suicide attempt – but once he arrived at Mount Gambier Hospital he did not receive the help he needed.

Mr Scott-Gilbertson is in a better place today and hopes this announcement will led to change.

He spent Easter on the medical ward detoxing and while he said the nurses were fantastic, he does not feel he can rely on the hospital’s mental health services.

“I was there for four days and no one from the mental health team came and saw me because it was over Easter,” he said.

“The nurses said ‘you should be in the mental health ward’ and they said I don’t understand why they won’t take you.”

Mr Scott-Gilbertson said he was unsure want the problem was but hoped staffing levels and care after discharge were looked into.

“There is no real follow up from the hospital, you’re basically you’re set home with whatever new medications and I’m left to fend for myself,” he said.

While last month, former Mount Gambier Hospital mental health nurses launched a new service after witnessing a never-ending cycle of admission and relapse on the ward.

Sibi Thompson said it wasn’t uncommon for the facility’s six dedicated beds to be full, another 10 patients overflowing into medical beds and the emergency department under pressure with non-urgent patients who did not know where to turn.

Supplied Editorial Photo request

Mount Gambier MP Troy Bell said action was long-overdue with the experiences of vulnerable people leaving him “alarmed at the standard of care”.

“I’ve been to the health minister three times over the last 12 months, raising concerns about the mental health facility at our local hospital,” he said.

Mr Bell said attracting and retaining staff and early intervention strategies were key to improving the system and a full, and transparent review must be undertaken with the findings released to the public.

“We need to have quality assurance that the mental health care that we’re getting in Mount Gambier, the state’s second largest city, is also the same level of care that you would get if you were based in Adelaide,” he said.

Mount Gambier MP Troy Bell says action must be taken to improve the Mount Gambier Hospital’s mental health care. Picture: Supplied / Troy Bell

“Let’s actually address some issues before they get to an acute stage of their mental health issue.”

In the meantime, the condition will not prevent patients from accessing care and Limestone Coast Local Health Network chief executive Ngaire Buchanan said issues would be worked through and areas for improvements identified.

“We are working closely with the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist (OCP) to improve and enhance mental health services provided by the Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service,” she said.

“A plan has been developed to address all concerns raised by OCP and we have already begun work to implement some of the recommendations provided.

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In a statement, Dr John Brayley said an unannounced inspection was conducted by OCP clinicians over two days in April.

“The inspection identified issues relating to the management of at-risk patients who leave the emergency department, the current reliance on police assistance to manage patient behaviours of concern, the reporting of incidents, and some facility concerns which include the need for improvements in the duress system,” he said.

“These gazettal conditions intend to improve service provision and safety for both the community and staff.

“These are system issues, and the decision to place gazettal conditions is not a reflection on the existing improvement work of Limestone Coast Local Health Network clinicians and management.

Dr Brayley said the temporary condition would be lifted when the intervention plan has been substantially completed.

The announcement comes just weeks after the co-located Mount Gambier Private Hospital entered voluntary administration.