Many models of community-based mental health crisis teams have been reported. We present our experience of an outreach team made up of a paramedic and mental health nurse.
Methods:
A proof-of-concept was conducted in Western Sydney. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients where the team were able to facilitate the most appropriate care.
Results:
Nearly 70% of patients were able to be treated outside the Emergency Department, with about two-thirds being transported directly to a mental health facility.
Conclusion:
We have demonstrated that our model of care is successful in enabling appropriate physical and mental health care for patients suffering an acute mental health crisis.
HambridgeJRosenA.Assertive community treatment for the seriously mentally ill in suburban Sydney: A programme description and evaluation. Aust N Z J Psychiatry1994; 28: 438–445.
3.
RosenAGurrRFanningP.The future of community-centred health services in Australia: Lessons from the mental health sector. Aust Health Rev2010; 34: 106–115.
