More than 40 Emergency Departments across the state are now using virtual support hubs to access psychiatric expertise on demand, transforming the delivery of mental health support in NSW.
Virtual Psychiatry Hubs are an initiative from the Minns Labor Government to provide EDs with rapid access to support from senior psychiatrists, enhancing patient care and reducing the on-call demands for the state's psychiatric workforce.
Thanks to the on-demand model, patients can receive appropriate care sooner, improving outcomes and reducing a significant pressure point on the workforce.
Based in Newcastle and Orange, more than 20 psychiatrists work across the two hubs, managing more than 3,000 referrals from seven local health districts in the first six months.
Referrals have been steadily growing from just 35 in the first month to more than 850 in July, with the average time from referral to completion sitting at 32 minutes.
The model has proven so successful that the Western NSW hub has extended its hours, now operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide additional coverage of specialist psychiatric assistance.
Feedback from clinicians who use the Hubs has been positive, with staff reporting improved access to specialist support and greater confidence in managing complex mental health presentations.
NSW Health is now exploring further expansion due to the success of the innovative model which is reducing workforce fatigue by easing after-hours pressure on local teams.
Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said:
"Some of the best ideas are borne out of necessity and I'm thrilled that the Virtual Psychiatry Hubs have proven to be so successful.
"The use of technology to provide virtual support is not new - we've seen it used in private practice and throughout the pandemic. We've taken this model and scaled it up, with hubs that can now provide psychiatric support to dozens of emergency departments across our state.
"This is an innovative solution to strengthen the NSW mental health system and emergency departments are embracing it - referrals are up more than 400% since March.
"The Minns Government is taking a modern, solutions-focused approach to improving mental health care and I look forward to seeing how we can further expand the virtual hub model to help more people."
Chief Psychiatrist Dr Murray Wright PSM said:
"The Virtual Psychiatry Hubs have proved a valuable addition to the NSW mental health system as they have improved patients' access to care, while also supporting our specialist teams across state.
"Initial feedback on the model has been very positive, from both patients and our colleagues who work in the emergency department.
"As well as helping ED clinicians get rapid access to a psychiatrist, the Hubs have also helped reduce clinician fatigue, ease after-hours pressure on local teams, and enhance continuity of care for patients across the state."
