Emergency departments are loud, busy and predominantly designed for physical health emergencies. Over decades, the number of mental health and drug or alcohol presentations at emergency departments has steadily increased. Upon arrival, these complex and disruptive behaviours can unsettle the entire emergency department, creating an environment that feels unpredictable, unsafe and crowded with security personnel.
That is why a re-elected Malinauskas Labor Government will build the first ever South Australian specialised Mental Health Assessment Units next to the emergency departments at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Lyell McEwin Hospital and Noarlunga Hospital to help people experiencing a mental health crisis or a drug or alcohol related issue.
Our plan will direct complex patients to a new, well-resourced, low-stimulus environment, delivering safer and more appropriate care for people experiencing a mental health crisis. It will also reduce disruption in our emergency departments by lowering the number of Code Black security callouts, easing pressure on frontline staff, and freeing emergency departments to focus on other patients.
We will first build a new unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and, once the model is established and operating well, replicate it at the Lyell McEwin and Noarlunga Hospitals, ensuring new facilities for the northern, central and southern Adelaide communities.
