Victorians living in Melbourne’s west will be able to receive hospital-level mental health care at home under a new program backed by the Victorian Government and delivered by Western Health.
Ten Hospital in the Home beds have been introduced for people experiencing acute mental health conditions, allowing treatment to be provided in patients’ homes rather than in hospital wards.
The program operates from the Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre at Sunshine Hospital and aims to support people close to their families and existing support networks.
Consumers will receive care from a team that includes psychiatrists, mental health nurses, allied health professionals and peer workers with lived experience. Care will be provided through both face-to-face visits and telehealth appointments.
The model is designed to deliver hospital-equivalent treatment while reducing pressure on emergency departments and inpatient beds.
Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said the initiative would expand access to care for people who may benefit from treatment at home.
“This program is expanding to give Victorians the care they need close to their support networks,” she said.
“This is another way we are making sure free mental health care is accessible to Victorians where and when they need it most.”
Consumers and caregivers will be involved in care planning throughout the treatment period.
The service has created 25 new roles, including a dedicated program manager, to support the delivery of care in the community.
Similar Hospital in the Home mental health services are already operating through Barwon Health and the Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.
The Victorian Government says it has invested $6 billion in the state’s mental health and wellbeing system since 2021 and that the workforce has grown by 25 per cent during that period.
The new service forms part of wider efforts to expand access to treatment outside hospital settings while maintaining clinical oversight.
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