People arriving at Wellington Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) in mental distress or experiencing a crisis are now being seen more quickly as a result of two recent changes.

The changes – led by Mental Health, Addiction and Intellectual Disability Service (MHAIDS) – include the introduction of Specialist Clinical Nurse (SCN) roles in ED and the relocation of the Wellington Crisis Resolution Service to Wellington Hospital’s campus.

The SCNs - previously known as Mental Health ED Liaison Nurses - provide assessment, care planning and support.

“These are more advanced ED nursing positions and their appointment reflects the increasing complexity of mental health presentations,” MHAIDS Executive Clinical Director, Paul Oxnam says. “Having specialist staff based in ED reduces wait times and improves the experience of people needing urgent mental health support.”

“While it’s still early days and these roles are yet to be fully recruited to, we’re already seeing benefits to care with a reduction in wait times for people arriving in ED with mental health issues between March and May this year. This means we’re making progress on the ‘shorter mental health and addiction-related stays in emergency departments’ mental health target.”

The other change – the relocation of the Wellington Crisis Resolution Service from Kenepuru Hospital to the Wellington Hospital campus near the ED in April – enables the team to respond more promptly when someone arrives at ED in crisis. 

“Thank you to everyone involved in supporting these improvements, which help ensure better care for some of the most unwell people in our communities,” Paul says.