Victoria’s mental health system falls short as most hospitals miss eight-hour admission target

A recent Department of Health report reveals that just two of Victoria’s 21 adult mental health services achieved the target of admitting 80% of patients to a specialist bed within eight hours, while the other nineteen fell short, causing extensive emergency department queues. The eight-hour transfer rate has declined from 49% at the time of the 2021 royal commission report to 46% today. The Victorian government says 230 new acute beds have been added, yet the Australian Medical Association and other clinicians can only confirm 174 openings.

Emergency physicians note that over 13,000 mental-health patients have spent more than 24 hours in emergency departments in the past year, many in critical condition. Seclusion and restraint practices in 14 of 22 adult units and all four child-adolescent units far surpass the limits set by the Department of Health. Health experts and unions argue that staffing shortfalls and insufficient community services are worsening the crisis.