Saving Lives - Priorities in Action

Emergency Departments are the first point of contact for many young people (YP)and their families seeking mental health expertise in times of crisis. WSLHD PCYMHS in collaboration with WSPHN, introduced a C&Y mental health ED Navigation pilot establishing a new Model of Care for under 18s.

 

The aim was to decrease non-urgent presentations of under 18 YP to Westmead Emergency Department (ED) by 50% through the introduction of a new Child and Youth (C&Y) model of care within the ED.

 

The risk lens that traditionally dominates assessments was broadened to include a comprehensive trauma-informed needs assessment and short-term post-discharge involvement to reduce non-urgent re-presentations.

 

The pilot exceeded expectations as evidenced by the Navigator seeing 71% of young people during the week. The re-presentation rates reduced to 3% for YP presenting 3/3+times (in a 3 month period) compared to 20% for those seen only by pre-existing CL Psychiatry services.