- First-of-its-kind Ambulance Co-Response service for mental healthin WA
- Service will provide crisis intervention, support and the appropriate level of care to people experiencing a mental health emergency
- $7.9 million invested to help support and provide care through new community service to help reduce emergency department admissions
The Cook Government is boosting support and care for people experiencing mental health issues, with the establishment of Western Australia’s first-of-its-kind Ambulance Co-Response service.
The service will be operated through a partnership between the Mental Health Commission, the Department of Health, St John WA and the East Metropolitan Health Service.
The service will offer two main elements:
- virtual triage, assessment and urgent careto Triple Zero (000) callers in the metropolitan areaaged 16 years and above, where mental health is the primary cause for concern; and
- a mobile response team comprising mental health practitioners and paramedics to provide care for people experiencing a mental health emergency in the community.
A new fit-for-purpose vehicle for the mobile response team will help provide treatment, aiming to reduce emergency department admissions.
The virtual triage service will also be expanded to include the mobile response team operating initially in the eastern metropolitan suburbs.
As stated by Mental Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
“We know emergency departments are not always the best place for people experiencing mental health issues, so this service will help provide early intervention in the community and help avoid emergency department admissions.
“This service will see greater collaboration across services and community groups to help ensure support and appropriate referrals.
“The new Ambulance Co-Response mental health service has been put in place so individuals, their carers and families are provided the right care, at the right time and in the right place.”
