City leads health trial

AN innovative trial, which will see specialist mental health staff join paramedics attending 000 call-outs where mental health may be a factor, will be trialled in Geelong next month.

The State Government has partnered with Ambulance Victoria and Barwon Health for the Victorian-first trial.

Premier Daniel Andrews joined Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley yesterday to unveil the Prehospital Response of Mental Health and Paramedic Team (PROMPT) trial.

The trial will mean patients are assessed and triaged sooner, and fewer patients will need to be taken to busy emergency departments.

“This groundbreaking trial will give Victorians the right care, faster; and take pressure off our hardworking paramedics and emergency departments,” Mr Andrews said.

The specialist mental health staff will arrive at call-outs in normal vehicles, removing the risk that patients may become further distressed by the sight of an ambulance.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Jenny Mikakos said calls to 000 could be answered by both paramedics and the specialist PROMPT team, or the PROMPT team may become the designated first responders.

“Embedding mental health clinicians with paramedics will enhance existing community mental health supports, providing the best care when locals need it, and ensuring their access to acute psychiatry services and other care,” she said.

Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman said the State Government was also building an Emergency Department Crisis Hub at University Hospital Geelong so that people needing urgent mental health treatment could get specialist, dedicated care.

Mr Cheesman said the hub and the trial were an investment for the people of Geelong and the Barwon region, putting mental specialists where they were needed most.

To ensure a mental health system that works for all Victorians, Mr Foley said the Government would accept all recommendations that come from its landmark Royal Commission into Mental Health.

“While the royal commission gets to work paving the way for long-term reform, we’re working hard to improve mental health outcomes for people right across Barwon,” he said.

The PROMPT trial begins on May 6 and will operate from 2.30-11.30pm, Thursday to Monday.