More mental health staff for Geraldton

30/11/04
Mental health services in the Mid-West and Murchison regions will be expanded with the employment of extra staff and the construction of accommodation units in Geraldton.
Health Minister Jim McGinty said $500,000 had been allocated to recruit four more staff under a plan to significantly improve mental health services in Geraldton.
Mr McGinty said the recruitment of extra mental health clinicians with expertise in emergency management was one of the key recommendations of a Government review of the central west mental health service.
"Having specialist staff in the emergency department at the hospital will mean better care for mental health patients, while also reducing the burden on general medical staff who have traditionally dealt with those people," the Minister said.
"The Office of Mental Health examined ways to improve mental health services to meet the needs of people in the region, with the recruitment of skilled staff being identified as a key factor in achieving this."
The report also recommended that GPs in the region worked closely with mental health services so more people could be treated by their local doctor rather than specialist mental health teams.
Other recommendations included making mental health services more accessible and the development of mental health promotion and early intervention programs.
The Minister said four extra staff would be employed in the following areas:

• a mental health nurse would be based at Geraldton Regional Hospital's emergency department and inpatient ward;
• a second psychiatrist would be recruited from overseas;
• the Community Mental Health Service would recruit an extra officer to help establish positive working relationships between GPs, the hospital, mental health staff and the community; and
• a new promotion officer would join the health promotion team in the region to provide support and information on early intervention for people, families and carers who suffered from a mental illness.

A team from the WA Office of Mental Health was currently holding recruitment information sessions throughout the UK and Ireland to attract mental health professionals to WA.
"We are determined to recruit the most experienced and professional staff to the Mid-West and Murchison regions to ensure mental health patients receive the best possible treatment," Mr McGinty said.
The Minister said planning had begun on the construction of eight housing units in Geraldton, to provide much needed accommodation for mental health patients in the region. The $870,000 project would provide accommodation for up to 13 mental health patients and a carer.
"People with serious and persistent mental illness are often unable to live in the community without support," Mr McGinty said.
"The eight new community residential units will benefit people with a mental illness in the Mid-West by providing a home-like environment, rather than an institution, while still delivering the support and specialist care they need."
Minister's office: 9220 5000