The NSW Government is bolstering mental health services across the Mid North Coast, ensuring better access to care for some of our most vulnerable, including children, young people, and individuals facing mental health or drug and alcohol crises.
Two key services leading the way in the Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD):
- Safeguards Team - this community-outreach service is focused on supporting children and young people experiencing acute mental distress.
- Emergency Mental Health and Addiction Assessment Response Team (EMHAART) - this service improves access to care for people with mental health or drug and alcohol issues in crisis.
This holistic approach to mental health care provides nuanced and specialist treatment in hospital and community settings to meet people where they are at.
Both programs have successfully helped reduce hospital emergency department (ED) presentations and admissions.
The Safeguards Team is based in Coffs Harbour and provides essential short-term therapeutic interventions to young people in crisis. Since May 2022, the service has supported more than 360 children and young people within the Mid North Coast region.
This service strengthens support for some of our most vulnerable communities. Most consumers are aged 12-17 years, with 60 per cent female and 29 per cent identifying as Aboriginal. Notably, 90 per cent of initial assessments occurred in non-clinical settings such as homes, schools, and community spaces.
This outreach model has contributed to an overall improvement in consumer health outcomes on discharge such as reduced distress, improved psychological and social functioning, and increased school attendance.
The Safeguards team provides assessments for children and adolescents either face-to-face at home or in other settings like headspace, school, or via telehealth options. The Safeguards service operates extended hours, including weekends, and referrals can be made via the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.
In tandem, the Emergency Mental Health and Addiction Assessment Response Team, introduced in February 2023 at Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour hospitals, offers 24-hour care for individuals in crisis due to mental health or drug and alcohol issues.
This rapid response team has halved inpatient hospital admission rates, from more than 40 per cent to less than 20 per cent, reduced emergency department wait times, and lowered patient re-admission rates to mental health units.
The team comprises multidisciplinary professionals, including transitional nurse practitioners, clinical nurse consultants, registered nurses, social workers, dietitians, pharmacists and clinical nurse specialists.
The EMHAART service, co-located in emergency departments, works collaboratively with ED clinicians to ensure seamless transitions of care for patients, directing them to community mental health and alcohol and drug services when appropriate.
The NSW Government is investing nearly $110 million over four years to roll out 25 Safeguards teams across NSW, while the EMHAART service is supported by the $116 million Enhancement for Vulnerable People and Virtual Mental Health programs.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson:
"The Safeguards program is an essential part of our statewide efforts to expand mental health support for children and young people. It offers comprehensive support for young people struggling to manage acute mental distress, providing care close to home and breaking down barriers to access.
"We consulted with children, young people and families from diverse backgrounds and local community organisations in a series of workshops to ensure the model of care meets the needs of the local community.
"The Emergency Mental Health and Addiction Assessment Response Team has transformed the way mental health and alcohol, and other drug issues are managed in our local hospitals. Offering faster, more integrated care that improves patient outcomes and reduces the burden on emergency departments."
"Through EMHAART, consumers can receive safe and timely access, engagement and referral to community mental health, alcohol and other drugs services - offering them an alternative pathway to hospital if appropriate."
Quotes attributable to Mid North Coast Local Health District Chief Executive Stewart Dowrick:
"The positive feedback from families about the Safeguards program highlights the value of its wrap-around support model, ensuring that children and adolescents can be easily connected to local professionals and agencies for ongoing care.
"We are exceptionally proud of the service our team is providing to children and young people and the connections between the Safeguards program and the community.
"EMHAART's success in reducing hospital admissions and improving patient flow through emergency departments is a testament to the dedicated work of our talented clinical teams.
"With 24-hour care now available, we are better equipped to meet the needs of our community, ensuring that individuals facing mental health or substance use crises receive the right care at the right time in the least restrictive environment."
