AN extra 800 Wyndham residents with mental health problems will be able to receive treatment at Werribee Mercy Hospital with the help of a state government grant.
The government is providing the hospital with $6million over four years for community-based clinical treatment for mental health patients.
The funding is part of a $104.8million package to provide more effective treatment and support for people with a mental illness.
As reported by the Weekly, Werribee Mercy Hospital’s mental health services are running at 90 to 100per cent occupancy, with the hospital often forced to turn patients away from the emergency department because beds are taken up by people waiting more than 24 hours for a mental health bed.
Werribee GP Joe Garra estimates that about 20per cent of his daily patients have mental health issues. He said the funding was excellent news for patients and GPs. “Having more clinicians we can access will definitely assist in getting treatment earlier and preventing deterioration. [It] will also help with managing patients’ care in the community rather than in hospital,” Dr Garra said.
Western Metropolitan Liberal MP Bernie Finn said the funding would reduce emergency department waiting times and high occupancy levels.
But Wyndham mayor Kim McAliney questioned if the funding would secure more mental health beds for the hospital.
Cr McAliney said she knew of one resident whose son was sent home from hospital in a taxi because there were no mental health beds available anywhere in Victoria.
