27 October 2008

Minister tours Mental Health facilities at Broken Hill

Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health) Barbara Perry has visited key mental health facilities and services in Broken Hill and met with local medical staff.

Minister Perry toured the Broken Hill Base Hospital’s Mental Health Inpatient Unit on Saturday, a six bed facility that provides acute inpatient services, and said she was highly impressed by the hardworking staff.

“It was good to see first hand this important, specialised facility that plays a key role in the network of medical services in this region,” Ms Perry said.

“This facility caters to patients from across the region, including Broken Hill, Dareton, Wentworth, Wilcannia and Menindee.”

Minister Perry also met members of the Mental Health Transitional Support Team that provides specialised care and co-ordination at transitional stages of care for mental health patients.

“This service ensures a continuity of care for the patient, from assessment in the Emergency Department, admission to hospital, transfer of care to Community Mental Health and through to discharge,” Ms Perry said.

The team comprises mental health specialists, Emergency Department Clinical Nurse consultants, Emergency Department Consultation Liaison Mental Health Nurses, a Child and Adolescent Nurse and an Aboriginal Mental Health worker.

During the day Minister Perry also met with key mental health stakeholders including representatives of the Association of Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill, Carers NSW, Richmond Fellowship and Mission Australia.

The Minister also toured the Royal Flying Doctor Service base, praising the dedicated staff.

“I was so impressed with the role this team of medical experts perform in this remote region of NSW,” Ms Perry said.

Ms Perry also witnessed a demonstration of a video conference link-up as part of the Mental Health Emergency Care Rural Access Project.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au