Devastating consequences of lack of mental health services
A government report has revealed a lack of timely mental health services in Bundaberg is having ‘devastating’ consequences for patients with complex needs.
Bundaberg
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Mental health patients in Bundaberg are “being left in limbo” due to poor service availability, a government document has revealed.
A Local Services Plan tabled in the Senate on June 14 outlined the service gaps, social issues and priority needs for Bundaberg and Hervey Bay following the September 2022 repeal of the cashless debit card in those areas.
The document lists mental health services as one of the priority needs, with community consultations indicating patients with the most urgent mental health needs are unable to access services.
“Some service providers identified difficulties with workforce shortages and increased wait times, leading to individuals with complex needs being unable to receive support,” the report stated.
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A stakeholder comment included in the report from IMPACT Community Services said a shortage of clinically qualified mental health staff in Bundaberg had “led to people struggling with poor mental health being left in limbo”.
“The consequences of being unable to obtain timely support for this vulnerable cohort can be permanent, devastating and life-altering,” the statement reads.
“There is often only a small window of opportunity to assist these individuals when they have the courage to request help.”
A Bundaberg resident with a severe mental health condition said she was “frustrated” by a lack of mental health services on weekends.
With a history of trauma from domestic violence and the loss of her son in a car accident in 2016, Jane Smith* said the Bundaberg Hospital emergency department was her only option on weekends when in need of support including having suicidal thoughts.
“There is nothing available on the weekend when you go to emergency,” Mrs Smith said.
“You’re sitting and waiting for hours. It’s very frustrating because you’re unwell and need someone to talk to.”
In response to questions about the availability of mental health services on weekends, the executive director of Mental Health and Specialised Services at Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service, Robyn Bradley, said a number of 24/7 mental health services were available in Bundaberg, including the Acute Mental Health Unit, Step-up Step Down Facility and Community Care Unit.
However, a source with extensive knowledge of WBHHS operations said patients in need of mental health support could not present directly to the Step-up Step Down Facility or Community Care Unit and instead had to access services via the emergency department on weekends.
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The Local Services Plan states that WBHHS is undertaking initiatives to improve mental health service availability including a crisis support space through which patients can access care from peer support workers.
The Lighthouse Crisis Support Space is expected to open in late 2023.
In a media conference in April 2023, WBHHS Acting Chief Executive Fiona Sewell said a “side benefit” of The Lighthouse Crisis Support Space would be to relieve pressure on the emergency department.
“The Lighthouse Crisis Support Space isn’t actually about relieving pressure in the emergency department – it’s about providing the right support and the right care in the right place for the right person at the right time,” Mrs Sewell said in a media conference at Bundaberg Hospital on Monday, April 3.
“So while a side benefit and advantage of that will be that it will relieve some distress on the emergency department, it’s more about providing the right care in the right place.”
The Oasis, a crisis support space available at Hervey Bay Hospital since February 2022, is open 2-9pm on weekends, according to the Qld Health website.
*Mrs Smith’s name has been changed to protect her identity
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