Mental health patients to avoid restraints, further trauma thanks to new service
ABCSunshine Coast residents in the midst of a mental health crisis will be the first in regional Queensland to be assessed at home by a senior mental health clinician on the front line. Key points: The Sunshine Coast is the first regional location to put a senior health clinician on the front line accompanying paramedics to patients having a mental health crisis It aims to avoid further stress to patients and emergency departments The service follows a trial in South East Queensland where 65 per cent of patients were able to avoid a hospital admission The Queensland Ambulance Service and Queensland Health initiative is designed to decrease stress put on patients and emergency departments by unnecessary hospital admissions. The Sunshine Coast is the first regional location to put a senior health clinician on the front line accompanying paramedics to patients having a mental health crisis. "People who are experiencing mental health crisis don't necessarily need to go to the emergency department," she said. The QAS said about 85 per cent of people experiencing a mental health crisis were transferred to the emergency department for assessment.
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