Michaela Meade
Mental health services in the north will be overhauled following the release of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s mental health system.
The Victorian government last week announced six mental health priority sites, including one in Whittlesea, will be built across the state as part of a new local adult and older adult mental health and wellbeing service.
The fast-tracked sites are a key recommendation of the Royal Commission and come on top of a new stand-alone mental health facility at Northern Hospital, announced in last year’s state budget.
The report also recommended that adult mental health services in the northern catchment area be separated from Melbourne Health’s governance and instead be the responsibility of Northern Health.
The final report, released last week, found that Melbourne Health’s governance of three public health services has had “unintended consequences” at Northern Health.
“Northern Health has poor visibility over mental health provided within its facilities,” the report stated.
“Northern Health has little or no influence over how the mental health resources are allocated or prioritised as this is done by Melbourne Health.
“Co-ordination of care for patients is made more complex and difficult given the dual responsibility.”
A submission to the commission said “patients, families and the community assume that Northern Health is the provider of these mental health facilities given they are in our facilities. When complaints arise they must be referred to Melbourne Health for response, as Northern Health has no knowledge of mental health incidents or events occurring in the mental health facilities at Northern Health.”
The new priority sites will operate to a “how can we help?” model. All six sites are expected to open by the end of 2022.
Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green said, “our community was particularly impacted by Black Saturday and this will mean people who will struggle with these memories get the care they need sooner and closer to home.”
Member for Bundoora Colin Brooks said, “it’s fantastic that Whittlesea will be one of the first areas to become a mental health priority region.”
Northern Health was contacted for comment.
