Concerns over Psychiatric Nurses to be Removed from Emergency Departments
Concerns over Psychiatric Nurses to be Removed from Emergency Departments
Royal Hobart Hospital nurses have voiced concerns over a plan to remove specialist psychiatric nurses from the emergency department to staff a proposed short-stay mental health unit.
The unit, proposed by the Tasmanian Health Service, would be located near the emergency department.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Branch Secretary Emily Shepherd said it meant patients could be waiting too long to receive essential services.
“It doesn’t allow for early assessment and intervention … there is a potential for an elongated stay and potentially adverse outcomes,” Ms Shepherd said.
The Tasmanian Health Service said the short-stay unit would lead to improved care for mental health patients and increased resources, and that psychiatric nurses could still be provided to the emergency department.
This article was originally published on ABC News on 18/2/2020 by Natasha Egan.