❓ Inquiry into changes in mental health services and bed costs at WA hospitals, including RPH, Fremantle, PMH, and FSH, and the availability of beds for 16-18 year olds needing mental health care. The response details service changes, cost variations, and bed availability across different facilities.
AnsweredQoN 3161Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to mental health beds in Western Australia, and I ask: (a) what changes have occurred in the level of mental health services at Royal Perth Hospital and Fremantle Hospitals in 2014-2015; (b) in reference to the Minister’s response to question on notice No. 1675, what is the reason for the cost decrease from 2013-2014 to 2014-2015 for a bed day at Royal Perth and Fremantle Hospitals; (c) in reference to the response to question on notice No. 1675, what is the reason for the cost increase from 2013-2014 to 2014-2015 for a bed day at Princess Margaret Hospital; (d) what is the estimated cost of a bed day at Fiona Stanley Hospital in 2014-2015; and (e) how many beds currently exist for patients between 16 and 18 needing mental health care and where are they located?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
13 August 2015
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health
Response time
92 days
(a) The number of inpatient beds at Fremantle Hospital has remained the same. The mental health service at the Fremantle Hospital and Health Service has undergone some minor changes only as a result of the reconfiguration of health services in the South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS), including:
· the Emergency Department (ED) which was previously a source of some admissions to mental health is now closed, however, many mental health admissions come via community services, or through the Alma St Triage Centre and these avenues into mental health remain fully active; and
· the Triage Centre has increased its hours of operation and a new community treatment team is now in place to ensure better access to mental health treatment for patients in the community. There is still the capacity to admit patients after hours if necessary.
There has been no change in bed numbers at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH), which continues to provide 20 adult multi-day mental health beds in addition to a range of ED mental health specialist assessment services and outpatient clinic resources on site.
(b) There is significant reconfiguration of service in the SMHS occurring in 2014/15 due to the opening of Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH), which impacts on service volumes and the mix of services provided at a site level.
The 2014/15 bedday cost estimates previously provided in question on notice No. 1675, were forecasts based on the expected mental health case-mix and length of stay profiles for those sites.
(c) PMH has had a reduction in average length of stay which was forecast in 2014/15 and this has been accompanied by an equivalent reduction in casemix complexity leading to a bedday cost increase that is within an overall expected range.
(d) The higher cost per bedday at FSH compared to RPH and Fremantle Hospital is expected due to its role as a shorter stay mental health unit.
(e) The current acute mental health inpatient service for children aged 12 to 17 years is provided at Bentley Adolescent Unit (BAU) and comprises of 12 beds. BAU is located on the Bentley Health Service site. The newly opened Youth Inpatient Service at Fiona Stanley Hospital provides inpatient services for 16-24 year olds. The Capacity of the unit is 14 beds. Also, PMH will admit 16 year olds to their 12 bed facility. The 22 bed sub-acute facility at Joondalup will also take people aged 16 and over, as will the Rockingham facility and other facilities being progressed at Broome, Kalgoorlie, Karratha and Bunbury.
· the Emergency Department (ED) which was previously a source of some admissions to mental health is now closed, however, many mental health admissions come via community services, or through the Alma St Triage Centre and these avenues into mental health remain fully active; and
· the Triage Centre has increased its hours of operation and a new community treatment team is now in place to ensure better access to mental health treatment for patients in the community. There is still the capacity to admit patients after hours if necessary.
There has been no change in bed numbers at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH), which continues to provide 20 adult multi-day mental health beds in addition to a range of ED mental health specialist assessment services and outpatient clinic resources on site.
(b) There is significant reconfiguration of service in the SMHS occurring in 2014/15 due to the opening of Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH), which impacts on service volumes and the mix of services provided at a site level.
The 2014/15 bedday cost estimates previously provided in question on notice No. 1675, were forecasts based on the expected mental health case-mix and length of stay profiles for those sites.
(c) PMH has had a reduction in average length of stay which was forecast in 2014/15 and this has been accompanied by an equivalent reduction in casemix complexity leading to a bedday cost increase that is within an overall expected range.
(d) The higher cost per bedday at FSH compared to RPH and Fremantle Hospital is expected due to its role as a shorter stay mental health unit.
(e) The current acute mental health inpatient service for children aged 12 to 17 years is provided at Bentley Adolescent Unit (BAU) and comprises of 12 beds. BAU is located on the Bentley Health Service site. The newly opened Youth Inpatient Service at Fiona Stanley Hospital provides inpatient services for 16-24 year olds. The Capacity of the unit is 14 beds. Also, PMH will admit 16 year olds to their 12 bed facility. The 22 bed sub-acute facility at Joondalup will also take people aged 16 and over, as will the Rockingham facility and other facilities being progressed at Broome, Kalgoorlie, Karratha and Bunbury.
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