Children, young people and their families in the North West are set to benefit from the launch of a new Youth Mental Health Hospital in the Home pilot program in Devonport.
Youth Mental Health Hospital in the Home North West began operations last month, providing specialist clinical care and support to eligible young people aged 15-24 years experiencing acute or complex mental health concerns.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Guy Barnett, said that a key focus of the Government's 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future is delivering more mental health services for Tasmanians.
"Our innovative new Youth Mental Health Hospital in the Home program will increase access to mental health services for young people in the North West, by providing specialist care and support within the young person's place of residence," Minister Barnett said.
"The service currently provides four Hospital in the Home 'beds' seven days a week, with plans to scale up to 12 beds as recruitment continues.
"Under the pilot, mental health clinicians aim to visit each young person admitted to the service at least twice a day for up to 21 days, as part of a comprehensive and intensive home-based model of care.
"This $8.5 million pilot comes in addition to our wider $45.2 million program of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services reform, which is working to provide quality mental health treatment and care for young people and their families and carers across the State."
Youth Mental Health Hospital in the Home North West is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, pharmacists, allied health professionals, nurses (including nurse practitioners), youth workers, and lived experience workers.
