Mental health crisis deepens amid policy paralysis

THIS Mental Health Week, too many Australians who need acute mental health treatment won't get it, due to a system where a shortage of psychiatrists is unaddressed, consultation waits are a year-long and the loss of more hospital services create major barriers to care.

The Australian Private Hospitals Association has welcomed the Federal Government's recognition that restrictions preventing overseas-trained psychiatrists from working in private hospitals need to change. But APHA CEO Brett Heffernan said acknowledging the problem was only the first step.

"Getting mental health care when you need it shouldn't be this hard," he said. "People can't wait a year to see a psychiatrist. Some psychiatrists have closed their books altogether. Private psychiatric hospitals have closed, and when someone becomes seriously unwell, too often the only option is an already stretched public hospital emergency department.

"The expansion of out-patient clinics is often lauded, but these in no way meet the needs of acute patients. They are left to fall through the cracks. Community programs, GPs and out-patient services all have an important role, but they cannot replace hospital treatment for someone experiencing severe or complex mental illness.

"When somebody reaches the point where they need acute psychiatric care, telling them there is a six-to-12 month wait, that the psychiatrist isn't taking new patients or that their local service has closed is not a mental health system that is working."

For four years APHA has called for the 10-year moratorium that restricts internationally-trained psychiatrists already in Australia from working in private hospitals to be eased. The Federal Government now recognises the need for change. It's time to act on what should be a no-brainer.

"Private psychiatric hospitals have beds, specialist facilities and clinical teams are ready to care for severe-needs patients. Yet, they are turning away referrals for acute patients. What they don't have are enough psychiatrists," Mr Heffernan explained.

"The Government knows its restriction is contributing to the problem. Now it needs to make sure the solution goes far enough. Exemptions to the moratorium should not just apply to newly recruited or sponsored overseas-trained psychiatrists. The 300 qualified psychiatrists already in Australia must be able to work in private hospitals where patients need them.

"Free up the 300 psychiatrists we already have waiting in the wings. Keep private psychiatric hospitals viable. Address the funding and contracting crisis putting services at risk. And make sure Australians asking for mental health help can actually get it."

Private hospitals provide 61 per cent of Australia's acute mental health care, treating patients whose conditions require hospitalisation, specialist psychiatric care and multi-disciplinary clinical teams. The hospitals are doing their bit, but the health insurers need to do theirs.

"If the hospital services patients rely on continue to close, we haven't solved the problem," Mr Heffernan added. "The cost of providing care is going up while funding has not kept pace. Psychiatric hospitals and units have closed, services have disappeared and patients and families are left trying to work out where to turn next.

"This Mental Health Week, the measure for reform should be simple: can a person who needs acute mental health care get the right treatment, in the right place, when they need it? For too many, and for too long, the answer for vulnerable Australians is still no."

-ENDS-

Previous Media Centre:
4/10/2026 Private hospitals ready to help cut Vic surgery waits