A new specialist unit will be built at Westmead Hospital to manage patients experiencing acute distress or aggression, as the New South Wales Government moves to reduce pressure on one of the state’s busiest emergency departments.
The six-bed acute behavioural assessment unit will operate within the hospital’s emergency department, offering a quieter and more secure space for patients whose conditions may be worsened by the intensity of a standard ED environment.
The move follows a sharp rise in demand. Over the past five years, Westmead has recorded a 31 per cent increase in presentations linked to mental health or behavioural issues, alongside growing reports of aggression towards frontline staff across Western Sydney.
Health Minister Ryan Park said the pressures on the system had been building for some time, pointing to gaps in infrastructure and staffing. “We are focused on delivering more beds and recruiting more staff to meet the increasing pressure on our hospital system,” he said, adding that a lack of investment in beds and workforce had “caused significant strain on Western Sydney’s hospital system.”
He said behavioural challenges among patients were adding another layer of risk. “We are seeing increasing behavioural issues among patients which presents a security and safety concern for staff and other patients,” he said, describing the new unit as a step towards creating “a safer environment for both staff as well as patients experiencing heightened distress.”
The unit is intended to divert patients away from the main waiting area, reducing disruption and helping clinicians respond more effectively. Authorities expect it to improve patient flow, shorten waiting times and reduce the need for more restrictive interventions
The unit is intended to divert patients away from the main waiting area, reducing disruption and helping clinicians respond more effectively. Authorities expect it to improve patient flow, shorten waiting times and reduce the need for more restrictive interventions.
Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson said staff had been clear about the growing challenges inside emergency departments. “Our nurses and clinicians who work at Westmead ED have told us they are seeing more and more patients who become aggressive or violent and it’s making their job harder,” she said.
She noted that the environment itself can contribute to escalation. “Some patients don’t deal well in the loud, busy environment of an emergency department, it can cause them to behave in a way that puts the safety of our staff and other patients at risk,” she said, adding that the new unit would allow those patients to be treated in a more appropriate setting.
“That’s why we’re building a new, specialist unit to divert these patients away from the ED waiting room, improving outcomes for them and for our staff,” she said, describing it as part of a wider effort to ease pressure on emergency departments and expand access to mental health care beyond hospital settings.
Local member Donna Davis said the unit would be an important addition for Western Sydney, particularly at a hospital that sees high volumes of patients each day. “Patient and staff safety are critical to the design this new space,” she said, noting that care would be delivered by clinicians trained in de-escalation, mental health and drug health.
The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association also supported the project, with General Secretary Michael Whaites saying staff had long been dealing with rising incidents of violence. “We welcome the creation of a dedicated, purpose-built unit in Westmead ED in order to combat the rising violence and aggression our members are experiencing,” he said.
He said the approach reflected collaboration between staff and government. “This is a great example of what can be achieved when we come together to find solutions to make hospitals safer for staff and patients, while ensuring the community has access to quality, timely care,” he said, adding that the unit would “strengthen hospital safety, improve patient outcomes, and is a strong investment into the future of our public health system.”
Construction is expected to begin in August, with the unit scheduled for completion in early 2027. It will operate alongside the Westmead Integrated Mental Health Complex, which is also under construction and due to open later that year.
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