Mental health transport service to free up Perth's EDs

Mental health patients needing transport between hospitals will no longer require a police escort, under a new initiative announced by Mental Health Minister Helen Morton today.

  • Faster transport times in interests of patients needing specialist care

  • New service will reduce pressure on police and free up beds in emergency departments 

Mental health patients needing transport between hospitals will no longer require a police escort, under a new initiative announced by Mental Health Minister Helen Morton today.

Mrs Morton said the two-year pilot transport service would see specially trained WA Health personnel escort people who are mentally unwell between hospitals, helping to reduce the stigma associated with acute mental illness, while also relieving emergency departments of patients who require specialist mental health care.

"Under the Mental Health Act (1996), involuntary patients requiring transport to an authorised mental health unit for assessment and treatment are required to be conveyed by police," she said.

"This can lead to lengthy delays as patients wait for police to become available, which can exacerbate any feelings of anxiety or depression they may have.

"By having a highly skilled team of WA Health personnel on standby between 10am and 8pm we can improve patient care and reduce the workload for WA Police."

The Minister said the new Mental Health Bill would provide for persons other than police officers to be authorised to undertake involuntary transport to approved facilities.

"This legislation is currently before the Parliament but in the interim the Police Commissioner has afforded Special Constable status to specially trained WA Health personnel to undertake the transport in place of police," she said.

Mrs Morton commended the outstanding inter-agency co-operation of WA Police, WA Health and the Mental Health Commission in devising an improved transport approach.

          Fact File

  • There are 19 WA Health personnel who have been specially trained and afforded Special Constable status

  • The pilot transport service is funded by the Mental Health Commission and operated by WA Health in the metropolitan area

  • In the 2013-14 Budget, the State Government committed an unprecedented level of funding for mental health, alcohol and other drug problems, with a record investment of $734million this financial year

Minister's office - 6552 6900