Gympie locals experiencing a mental health crisis now have more access to mental health services at Gympie Hospital.
An additional Psychiatry Registrar position has been added to the Gympie Hospital Emergency Department (ED).
Dr Chris Lilley, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service’s Mental Health and Specialised Services Clinical Director, said this was great news for Gympie residents.
“EDs have an important role to play in caring for people with mental health concerns, and often the ED is the initial point of contact for people in crisis,” Dr Lilley said.
“In 2020-21 more than 300,000 presentations to public hospital emergency departments across Australia were for mental health-related issues.”
Dr Lilley said an additional psychiatrist position in the ED meant staff could better respond to the mental health needs of the local community.
“We know since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic the incidence of mental health issues has increased in communities across the world, and Gympie is no different.
“We’re delighted to be able to enhance our services to better support locals.”
Dr Lilley said for the first time, senior mental health clinicians worked afterhours in Gympie ED.
“This means Gympie consumers have better access to specialised mental health care in timely manner, with senior mental health clinicians working within the ED seven days a week in the evenings.
“This is a huge boost to the quality of care of patients presenting to Gympie Hospital with mental health difficulties afterhours.
“Prior to this, afterhours mental health expertise was provided by video telehealth from Nambour General Hospital or Sunshine Coast University Hospital.”
Background:
Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service continues to enhance services at Gympie Hospital such as:
- Opening an additional four (4) short stay beds in Gympie Emergency Department on 25 October 2021.
- Increased access to paediatric specialists to allow the return to a 24-hour 7-day service for paediatric inpatients from 18 October 2021.
- Extending Mental Health clinical coverage at Gympie Emergency department from 8 hours to 15 hours per day since 1 November 2021.
- In early 2021, Social Workers hours increased from 5 to 7 days per week.
- An Adult Frailty Clinical Nurse Consultant and a Community Hospital Interface Program Nurse.