Hospital a ‘high-risk zone’
Stretched mental health services lead to assaults
GEELONG hospital is now deemed a “high-risk public zone” by Victoria Police, with Barwon Health conceding assaults occur on a “regular basis”.
Violence, inadequate funding and limited services are among symptoms of the region’s stretched mental health system laid bare by Barwon Health in a startling submission to the mental health royal commission.
The health service says funding has not kept pace with population growth, as Barwon Health conceded it is not reaching expected population demand for specialist mental health services. “We provide services to approximately 1100 consumers (0.35 per cent population) from the Barwon region at any point in time, well below expected population demand for those living in our community with a serious mental disorder (3 per cent),” the submission said.
“System resourcing is currently not sufficient to meet demand in a comprehensive and evidence-based manner.
“The funding is capped and insufficient to meet demand in areas such as Geelong which has experienced significant population growth.
“Reform of funding rangements is required.”
The service says mental health workers are exposed to significant levels of agitation, distress and violence.
“The University Hospital Geelong site has reported such a high number of episodes of violence and assault that it has been designated a high-risk public zone by Victoria Police which facilitates a rapid police response where required,” the submission said.
Victoria Police Sergeant Steven Taylor confirmed the designation was put in place in January as a “result of the arnumber of incidents reported to police and police time spent responding to them.”
The submission said assaults occur on a “regular basis”, with contributing factors including drug intoxication and withdrawal; smoking bans in inpatient units; and a lack of appropriate supports.
“A lack of appropriate early intervention and community treatment capacity means consumers are entering hospitals sicker than ever before, which increases the potential for violence and aggression,” it reads.
Barwon Health wrote the likelihood of assaults at the Swanston Centre would be reduced by measures including: ACUTE community-based services that could provide early intervention and inhome treatment; MENTAL health inpatient infrastructure upgrades to include provision of a high dependence unit and local secure extended care unit; ENHANCED drug treatment options, including inpatient detox and residential rehabilitation programs; and LOCAL crisis and social housing options for patients experiencing homelessness to ensure timely discharge.
As at June 2019, 60 per cent of patients admitted to the Barwon Health psychiatric unit and subacute units were homeless or had unstable housing. “Over the last 18 months, University Hospital Geelong has had at least three consumers with complex psychiatric, disability and psychosocial needs, who have had inpatient hospital admissions greater than nine months in duration due to a lack of appropriately supported housing,” the submission said.
The submission also highlighted a lack of specialist services and the difficulties recruiting and retaining psychiatrists in regional areas.