NORTHSIDE, THE HIGH DEPENDENCY MENTAL HEALTH UNIT AT THE LGH, REMAINS CLOSED TO ADULT MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS

HACSU Assistant State Secretary Robbie Moore announced that HACSU members working for the Tasmanian Health Service in Northside, the acute mental health unit at the Launceston General Hospital, have become exasperated with a clearly intolerable situation.

HACSU has been advised that one young person who cannot be placed in appropriate care and who does not suffer a mental illness has been placed in the Unit, resulting in all remaining beds staying closed for almost 12 weeks.

“Our members are faced with a situation that clearly demonstrates a systematic failure of Health and Human Services in Tasmania,” said Robbie Moore.

“Due to the Minister’s mismanagement, the only facility in the North of the state that can deal with patients suffering chronic mental illness has been closed for almost 3 months. Chronically ill patients are either admitted to the general ward – which creates a clear risk to them, to other patients and to our members – or they are being shipped to either the North West or the South. This is far from ideal and is not sustainable even in the short term.”

Responsibility for this crisis lies with the THS CEO and the Health Minister. Local area management are hamstrung by a systematic failure which has left them unable to manage the health needs of Tasmanians. The Minister needs to urgently prioritise providing appropriate accommodation and support for this young person.

“HACSU members feel deep concern for this young person and face real challenges when they are forced to attempt to manage this youth in a unit designed for acute adult mental health patients. There have been a considerable number of incidents that have threatened the safety of the young person as well as other patients, visitors and workers since the youth was placed in Northside and we expect these to continue given the nature of the young person’s condition,” said Robbie Moore.

This issue coupled with the strain currently placed on Community Mental Health Services means that Tasmanians who are suffering with mental illness are not getting appropriate treatment and care.
“The Tasmanian Government, especially the Health Minister, can and must do more to provide these essential services to the community,” Robbie Moore said.
HACSU ASSISTANT STATE SECRETARY ROBBIE MOORE