Mental Health Minister concedes mental health wait times ‘unacceptable’

The state government has conceded it is “totally unacceptable” some mental health patients are waiting more than eight hours for a specialised bed, as Barwon Health grapples with less capacity during renovations.

The state government has conceded mental health patients are waiting “unacceptable” lengths of time for a specialised bed, as Barwon Health grapples with less inpatient capacity during renovations.

Data revealed to the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee recently showed in 2019-20, there were 517 emergency department presentations at Geelong hospital that departed to a

mental health bed.

While 408, or almost 79 per cent of those, departed to a mental health bed within eight hours, 109 were transferred after a further wait time.

Barwon Health Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Services clinical director Associate Professor Steve Moylan confirmed that refurbishments had reduced inpatient capacity.

“Barwon Health’s inpatient mental health unit is currently undergoing a refurbishment to improve the experience of mental health clients, including establishing a high dependency unit,” Prof Moylan said.

Barwon Health University Hospital Geelong. Mental health patients are facing a long wait in emergency. Picture: Alison Wynd

“There are many factors that influence when a person can be safely transferred from the

emergency department to ongoing care in an inpatient mental health unit, including treatment of medical conditions and monitoring where substance use is a factor.

“For this reason, transfers to mental health beds within eight hours have a target of 80 per cent.

“Of course, one contributory factor is availability of inpatient beds.

“While the refurbishment is on track to be completed this year, the building works has reduced our inpatient capacity during this time.

“We have, however, established systems to ensure consumers continue receive the care they need.”

The statistics showed statewide, more than 45 per cent were not transferred to a mental health bed for more than eight hours.

State Opposition spokeswoman for mental health Emma Kealy said ballooning waitlists and long wait times show how Victoria’s system is failing people at a time when they need help the most.

Mental Health Minister James Merlino said: “Like many parts of our current mental health system, these wait times are completely unacceptable to me and only further illustrate the need for our broken mental health system to be rebuilt from the ground up.

“It simply is not good enough and Victorians deserve better.”

“The interim recommendations of the Royal Commission included a number of initiatives that related specially to increasing the number of acute mental health beds available in Victoria.

“We have already started the work to deliver these and I know that is a priority as we work to meet growing demands across the state.”

The final report from the royal commission is due to be tabled in parliament on Tuesday.

Prof Moylan said Barwon Health was also delivering a new Mental Health and AOD Hub in the Emergency Department, which will provide new assessment areas and create more capacity to treat people in a timely way.

“We recognise that this is a disruptive time while we work to improve facilities, but we’re confident our patients will benefit from greater access to tailored mental health care once these works are completed.”

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Originally published as Mental Health Minister concedes mental health wait times ‘unacceptable’