Photo: Financial Tribune

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley today joined specialist staff at the Royal Melbourne Hospital – one of six sites across the state set to be part of a rollout of new emergency department crisis hubs made possible by a $100.5 million investment in the Victorian Budget 2018/19.

The other five crisis hubs will be established at Barwon Health, Monash Medical Centre, St Vincent’s, Sunshine and Frankston hospitals – and will include separate 24-hour, short-stay units in emergency departments to treat people during times of crisis.

The investment directly responds to an increasing number of people with mental health, drug and alcohol problems who seek help in emergency departments, when their condition has reached crisis point.

New data shows that across the state, emergency departments experienced an increase in mental health patients of almost 20 per cent over the last four years.

People presenting with urgent mental health, alcohol and drug issues will be fast-tracked to these hubs for specialist, dedicated care – relieving pressure on our emergency departments and our hardworking doctors and nurses.

Patients will be assessed and treated by an ED and mental health team – made up of psychiatrists, mental health nurses and social workers – and referred to other services as required.

The new hubs will ensure people presenting with mental health issues get the right support, sooner, and that our general emergency departments are able to focus on caring for other patients.

They are part of a record $705 million investment in this year’s Budget to give Victorians with mental illness and addiction and their families the treatment and the support they need.