Victorians in Melbourne's west can now access more free mental health care in the comfort of their own home.
The Allan Labor Government has backed another home-based care program, this time to be delivered by Western Health.
10 Hospital in the Home (HitH) beds have been set up for people living with acute mental health conditions to get the care they need close to their family and support networks.
The HitH model delivers hospital-equivalent treatment in a person's home to free up hospital beds and busy emergency departments.
Consumers will be visited by a team of experienced psychiatrists, mental health nurses, allied health professionals and lived experience peer workers for convenient and tailored care.
Care is provided through both face-to-face and telehealth appointments, with consumers and caregivers actively involved at every stage.
The program is being run out of the Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre at Sunshine Hospital.
25 new jobs have already been created including a dedicated program manager.
This HitH program builds on established mental health HitH services already being delivered by Barwon Health and Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.
The Government has invested $6 billion in the mental health and wellbeing system since 2021 for Victorians to access care when and where they need it.
Victoria's mental health workforce has also grown by 25 per cent during this time.
Only Labor invests in healthcare - delivering and backing free support services for Victorians when they need it most.
As stated by Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt
"This program is expanding to give Victorians the care they need close to their support networks."
"This is another way we are making sure free mental health care is accessible to Victorians where and when they need it most."
