Trial to give prompt response to mental health concerns

THE state government is partnering with Barwon Health and Ambulance Victoria on an innovative trial that gives locals living with acute mental health issues the treatment and care they need, faster.

In the Prehospital Response of Mental Health and Paramedic Team (PROMPT) trial, which begins on May 6, specialist mental health staff will join paramedics in attending call-outs where mental health may be a factor.

The Victorian-first trial will mean patients are assessed and triaged sooner, and fewer patients will need to be taken to busy emergency departments.

The three-month pilot was a concept developed between Barwon Health mental health service manager Rachel Tindall and Ambulance Victoria paramedic clinical manager Dr Paul Jennings, and aims to address the significant number of mental health-related calls to Ambulance Victoria in the Barwon region.

It will see a specialist mental health nurse attend to patients with an experienced paramedic in an unmarked car, which will remove the risk that patients may become further distressed by the sight of an ambulance.

Calls to Triple Zero could be answered by both paramedics and the specialist PROMPT team, or the PROMPT team may become the designated first responders.

The state government is also building an Emergency Department Crisis Hub at University Hospital Geelong.

Premier Daniel Andrews, Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley and South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman visited Belmont Ambulance Station last week to announce the trial.

“This ground-breaking trial will give Victorians the right care, faster and take pressure off our hard-working paramedics and emergency departments,” Mr Andrews said.