Dozens of Geelong patients experiencing mental health episodes have avoided using the city’s busiest emergency department (ED) in a Victorian-first trial that launched last month.
More than 35 patients have received faster assessment as part of the program so far, which prevented 27 of those needing to attend University Hospital Geelong’s ED.
The service pairs mental health specialists with paramedics to answer Triple Zero calls and attend call-outs in a bid to provide better care to locals living with mental health issues.
The trail was going “very well”, said Associate Professor Steve Moylan, Barwon Health’s director for mental health, drugs and alcohol services.
“Mental health and ambulance staff have found working together has created a new option to help people receive the care they need, closer to home,” he said.
“Many families have given us positive feedback that receiving care closer to home is of benefit.”
The Prehospital Response of Mental Health and Paramedic Team (PROMPT) trial is a collaboration between Barwon Health, Ambulance Victoria and State Government. The three-month trial will run until the end of August.
Minister for mental health Martin Foley said the trial will “relieve“ pressure at the hospital.
“More people in distress will be triaged by mental health professionals faster, often in the comfort of their own homes,“ he said.
The trial results come after the Indy reported earlier this month that an alleged ice-effected man at the ED forced staff to lock patients in a children’s waiting area for safety.
Last week Health and Community Services Union assistant secretary Paul Healey told the Indy the ED employed one mental health clinician specialising in alcohol and other drugs overnight, which Barwon Health later confirmed.
The ED needed at least two specialists overnight as some assessments and treatments could take several hours, Mr Healey said.
Mr Healey praised State Government’s plans to build a mental health emergency hub at University Hospital Geelong by 2021, but urged government to bring forward funding for more AOD specialists now.
Mr Healey’s comments come after State Government recently established a Royal Commission to prompt a significant reform of Victoria’s mental health services.
