Specialist mental health clinicians are to be embedded in the two Central Coast Police Commands that respond to the highest number of regional mental health emergencies.
Announced by the Minister for Mental Health, Bronnie Taylor the expansion of the Police Ambulance and Clinical Early Response (PACER) pilot program to Brisbane Water Police District and Tuggerah Lakes Police District will see 36 specialist mental health clinicians embedded across 12 Police Area Commands and Districts.
“This ground-breaking collaboration between first responders and clinicians means people in a mental health emergency are more likely to receive appropriate care in the community, rather than an emergency department,” Mrs Taylor said.
“[The] announcement is part of a wider effort to adapt the PACER program to work effectively in the diverse regional and rural areas across the state,” she said.
Mrs Taylor said the program would use virtual mental health services as well as on-site clinicians.
Brisbane Water Police District’s Superintendent Tony Joice said the two districts had more mental health emergency transports than any other regional police district in the State.
“Last year 5,500 people were taken to the local emergency department with a mental health emergency,” Superintendent Joice said.
“We think this collaboration will lead to better outcomes for both our officers and the individuals in need of assistance, and reduce the amount of time spent at the scene,” he said.
“The faster we can connect people with the most appropriate support, the more time we can spend serving our community in other areas.”
Superintendent Joice said he hoped the collaboration would reduce pressure placed on frontline responders.
