Warren Hately, Augusta Margaret River Times 8 November 2024

The WA Country Health Service is standing firm in the face of mounting pressure to provide a specialist psychiatric nurse at Margaret River Hospital.

The shire of Augusta Margaret River has cited community mental health as a “real priority” in its recent lobbying efforts, which have included a direct plea for help to Premier Roger Cook.

Peak body Mindful Margaret River this week noted its disappointment the Health Department agency remained unmoved despite talk of extending the hours of a similar nursing role in Busselton.  In August, WACHS chiefs said they were not aware of any undertaking to provide additional mental health position at the hospital.

However, the Times can reveal community stakeholders believed the position was pledged because it was central to a research project undertaken by WACHS and presented to more than 40 people at the shire offices in a community forum in February.

“It is widely known, the recommendations among WACHS staff and those that attended the stakeholder meetings and presentations,” Mindful Margaret River chief Erin Statz said.  WACHS has declined to provide any information on the Emergency Department Suicided Prevention Project and declined to respond to claims the project argued for a psychiatric liaison nurse in Margaret River.

WACHS rejected claims made to the Times by health workers that increasing walk-ins by residents seeking urgent mental health treatment were behind the project.

“WACHS regularly reviews activity at all hospitals, including Margaret River – this is business as usual practice,” a spokesperson said.  “Mental health activity through the emergency department remains steady and represents less than 2 per cent of mental health activity across WA Country Health Services.

“As it stands, there is not enough demand to warrant a dedicated psychiatric liaison nurse, noting the site is well serviced by highly qualified nurses with specialist mental health training, the community mental health team and our Mental Health Emergency Telehealth Service.”

Ms Statz said it was regrettable the agency was not responding to community calls.

“MMR is disappointed that WACHS has not followed up on providing a psychiatric liaison nurse at Margret River Hospital, while there is a proposal to extend the hours of the existing PLNs in Busselton,” she said.

Shire chief executive Andrea Selvey this week said mental health services were “a real priority for our community.”

“We’re working closely with government agencies and community groups to identify gaps so we can work with the relevant State agencies and advocate for additional support,” she said.

WACHS said it was monitoring requirements and would act if numbers changed.