A dedicated Hub has been established within the Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Emergency Department (RMH ED), to better support Victorians experiencing urgent Mental Health, Drug, Alcohol and other crises providing care to the most vulnerable population of consumer, in a multi foci approach from presentation to safe discharge with follow up. This is ensuring mental health support and care is accessible, flexible, and responsive, building on the recommendations from the Royal commission.
The RMH ED Hub is the largest in Victoria, and provides a safe, calm, and therapeutic environment, designed to improve the experience of vulnerable people attending. The Hub consists of 12 beds and the large layout enables the multidisciplinary team to be co-located together within the HUB for the benefit of the consumers.
The integrated service is led by ED, delivered by clinicians and support staff.
A dedicated Hub Team Leader (HTL) has been introduced to support the multidisciplinary team. This senior Registered Nurse with critical care qualifications, has transformed the way in which Emergency nurses are better supported to provide mental health crisis support, bridging a current knowledge gap within ED. A detailed Orientation and guidebook have been established outlining the priorities and responsibilities, model of care, specific anti ligature and anti-barricade equipment instructions and relevant hospital policies. Regular rounding by the HTL aids in consumer orientation to the space, assistance with physical health needs, risk assessment and screening, recovery focused care planning including cultural considerations and input from lived experience workers, First Nations Health unit and LGBTIQIA+ Navigators. The rounding also identifies potential communication gaps and the opportunities for incorporating sensory modulation.
The ED Hub and HTL has defined the way in which our health service delivers the best practice and has positively contributed to the care of our vulnerable consumers.