More than 150 emergency doctors, psychiatrists, consumers, clinicians and key decision makers will gather in Melbourne next week to tackle Australia’s mental health crisis.
The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM), in collaboration with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), will host a Mental Health in the Emergency Department Summit on Tuesday, October 16.
To be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Summit will bring together those involved in providing mental health care to design and agree on the way to improve health outcomes for one of the most vulnerable populations in our communities – patients with acute mental and behavioural conditions.
Yesterday, ACEM released a report which found that with more than 250,000 Australians presenting to emergency departments with a mental health crisis, patients are facing extreme wait times to be assessed, enduring longer periods of treatment and, as a result, leaving the emergency department prior to their treatment being completed.
ACEM President Dr Simon Judkins said: “We’re calling on health leaders, including governments, to start putting some measures in place to make sure this is addressed, and the Summit will set the agenda for policy reform.”
Speakers and panellists include:
- ACEM President Dr Simon Judkins
- RANZCP President Dr Kym Jenkins
- Professor Eimear Muir-Cochrane, President, Australian College of Mental Health Nurses
- Professor David Castle, Chair of Psychiatry, St Vincent’s Melbourne
- Dr Murray Wright, NSW Chief Psychiatrist
- Associate Professor Cameron Burrows, Director of Emergency Medicine, Joondalup Health Campus, WA
- Fellow of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (FACEM) Dr Sue Ieraci
- FACEM Dr Clare Skinner, Director, Emergency Medicine, Hornsby Kuring-Gai Hospital, NSW
- FACEM Dr Stephen Gourley, Director, Emergency Medicine, Alice Springs Hospital, NT
- FACEM Dr Daniel Fatovich, senior emergency physician and clinical researcher at Royal Perth Hospital Emergency Department
- Fran Timmins, Director of Nursing in Mental Health, St Vincent’s Melbourne
- Professor Stephen Duckett, Director, Health Program Grattan Institute
- Associate Professor Simon Stafrace, Alfred Psychiatry, Alfred Health and Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor, Monash University
- Dr Shalini Arunogiri, Addiction Psychiatrist, Turning Point, Monash University
Visit the Mental Health in the Emergency Department Summit website for more information, the official program, full list of speakers and resources.
Follow the conference on twitter @acemonline #MHED18.
Journalists are welcome to attend. Please email [email protected] to register, or phone 0498 068 023.
What: Mental Health in the Emergency Department Summit
When: Tuesday, October 16 (8am – 4.30pm)
Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Background
ACEM is the peak body for emergency medicine in Australia and New Zealand, responsible for training emergency physicians and advancement of professional standards. www.acem.org.au
Contact
Andre Khoury
ACEM Public Affairs Manager
03 8679 8813
0498 068 023
[email protected]