An Emergency Telehealth Service (ETS) has been launched by the Child and Adolescent Health Service, providing support to children and young people experiencing a mental health crisis.
With the support of specialist clinicians, the new ETS will provide telephone consultation, advice and support to other professionals in metropolitan emergency departments and community settings, including GPs, non-Government mental health services and school professionals.
Announcing the ETS, Minister for Mental Health, Roger Cook said it would not only assist children and young people accessing mental health services, it will also offer telehealth follow-up appointments for children and young people who have used the service during non-business hours.
βIt will also provide our specialist mental health expertise to other health professionals and community-based staff, and will further enhance the support and services currently in place,β Mr Cook said.
“The ETS will enable support to be provided via telehealth, direct to children when they need it most, to limit the need for them to attend an emergency department.β
He said it would take skilled clinicians right to where they were needed at the time, whether it be in a child’s home, with a GP, or in a school setting.
“This service will support clinicians from the Child Adolescent Health Service to improve mental health outcomes for children and young people by improving access to specialists and services,” the Minister said.
He said the service would run from 8am to 2.30am seven days a week and could be accessed on 1800 048 636.