NT needs more mental health investment, says top doctor

THE Territory’s mental health system is dangerously overstretched — currently running at 140 per cent, says Australian Medical Association NT president Dr Rob Parker.

The AMA NT wants more investment in mental health.

THE Territory’s mental health system is dangerously overstretched — currently operating at about 140 per cent capacity, says Australian Medical Association NT president Dr Rob Parker.

Dr Parker said the Territory needed more funding for mental health beds, and more private psychiatrists.

“We have the lowest number of private psychiatrists per capita in Australia, and the highest rate of admissions,” he said.

“But the problem is not just beds it’s the staffing — we’re quickly running out of skilled mental health nurses.

“All of which puts significant pressure on a fragile system, particularly with the continuing large related loss of experienced psychiatric nurses.”

This month, Healthscope announced it will invest $16 million to build a state-of-the-art mental health and alcohol and other drugs unit at Darwin Private Hospital — with an additional 18 beds.

While Dr Parker welcomed this important investment, he said it could stretch the already limited number of mental health nurses further.

“They’re also going to need to have private health cover to stay there — which not everyone has,” he said.

An NT Health Department spokeswoman said there were only 51 beds for all mental health patients in the Territory’s public health system, with just five of those for young Territorians.

“The demand for inpatient beds in the Top End has increased considerably over the years, particularly for acute mental health inpatient services,” she said

The spokeswoman said there was high demand for high acuity mental health beds, forcing some patients to stay at Royal Darwin Hospital while waiting for a mental health bed.

She acknowledged staffing could also be an issue.

“Like other areas of health in the NT, recruiting and retaining enough skilled workforce to meet community needs is a key challenge,” she said.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles wasn't able to say if mental health would get more funding in the next budget.

“Any new health initiatives will be decided as part of the 2019 budget process,” she said.

“Mental health is a growing area of need.”