The NSW Government has directed the appointment of an independent team of experts to oversee the management of Cumberland Hospital, with immediate effect.
The direction from the Minister for Mental Health is aimed at improving safety, strengthening governance, and rebuilding public confidence, alongside a formal security review into recent incidents.
The team of experts will see that clear monitoring, accountability and escalation frameworks are put in place to ensure oversight and see sustained improvement at Cumberland Hospital.
This follows the recently announced review, which will examine patient care and treatment, security protocols at Cumberland Hospital and, and the management of abscondments, including assistance provided by the NSW police force.
Additional security has been engaged to assist in the enhancement of safe and secure care for patients and staff at the hospital.
Cumberland Hospital will be closing permanently at the end of next year when the new Westmead Integrated Mental Health Complex opens.
The $540 million purpose-built facility will transform mental health care in Western Sydney.
The modern complex will include a link bridge connection to Westmead Hospital, providing better connectivity between mental health care and other services including the emergency department and psychiatric emergency care.
Construction is well underway on the new facility, which is scheduled for completion in late 2027.
Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said:
"Community safety is a top priority for our Government and I am concerned that recent incidents at Cumberland Hospital undermine the sense of safety and security people rightly expect in the management of our mental health system.
"A formal review into these recent incidents is underway, but because we want it to be a thorough process it will not be completed overnight.
"That's why we're taking immediate action to intervene in the management of this facility with a team of experienced health administrators, to ensure the safety of patients, staff and the community.
"The fact that Cumberland Hospital is closing does not change our responsibility to ensure safe, dignified and high-quality care in the interim. Our focus remains firmly on the people receiving care today.
"We don't want people experiencing mental distress shunted away in small, isolated facilities. The new Westmead Integrated Mental Health Complex will allow us to relocate patients into a modern, integrated network of health facilities."
