The Virtual Psychiatry Hub (VPH) addresses psychiatrist workforce challenges and improves equitable access to specialist mental health care across NSW. The service operates 24/7 and provides virtual support for senior psychiatrists to emergency departments, inpatient units and community mental health teams. Using telehealth and the NSW Health Patient Flow Portal, clinicians can quickly access specialist advice on mental health assessments, Mental Health Act decision-making and patient disposition planning, no matter where they are located.
Since opening, the VPH has expanded to 90 facilities across nine local health districts and supported more than 20,000 referrals. Patients supported by the service have shown improved outcomes, with only one third needing hospital admission. The VPH improves access to specialist expertise, reduces delays in care, supports clinicians and helps reduce location-based inequity. Early evaluation shows the model is innovative, scalable, sustainable and cost-effective.
