Number of specialised mental health public hospital beds
In New South Wales, the number of public hospital beds increased in real terms between 1992-93 and 2019-20 by 221. But measured by 100,000 population, an actual decrease is recorded. In 1992-93 New South Wales had 44 beds per 100,000 population. In 2019-20 that number was 33.2.50
Number of specialised mental health public hospital beds - NSW
Graph: Number of mental health public hospital beds NSW. Source: AIHW data: Specialised mental health care facilities tables 2019-20. Table FAC.13.
Mental health emergency department presentations
The number of mental health ED presentations per 10.000 population in New South Wales grew from 87.7 in 2004-05 to 114 in 2020-21.
Rate of ED presentations per 10,000 population - NSW
Graph: ED presentations per 10,000 population New South Wales. Source: AIHW data Mental Health Services Provided in emergency departments data tables 2020-21
In New South Wales, similar to the national trend, from 2015-16 the data shows an increase in emergency department presentations triaged as resuscitation, emergency and urgent, with presentations triaged as emergency (to be treated within 15 mins) growing by 5.2 per cent and urgent (to be seen within 30 mins) growing by 9.8 per cent.
Mental health related emergency department presentations in public hospitals by triage category 2015-16 to 2020-21 in NSW - per cent
Mental health-related emergency department presentations in public hospitals, by triage category, NSW. Source: AIHW Data: Mental Health Services Provided in emergency departments data tables 2015-16 to 2020–21
Emergency department mental health treatment times – ED length of stay
In New South Wales in 2020-21 ED median length of stay for all mental health presentations was 3 hours and 48 minutes. For presentations ending in admissions, median length of stay was 6 hours and 7 minutes. 90th percentile length of stay for mental health presentations ending in admissions was 20 hours and 21 minutes. The below table shows the change in length of stay over the last 5 years. New South Wales still fares better than most other states and territories on this parameter.
Emergency department mental health presentations – ambulance arrival
While the percentage of presentations to emergency departments with ambulance (including air ambulance or helicopter rescue service) as the mode of arrival grew by 1.5 per cent over the five years since 2016-17 in New South Wales, the number of mental health presentations with ambulance as the mode of arrival grew by 8.2 per cent over the same period.
Mental health presentations ambulance arrival mode - NSW
Graph: Mental health ED Presentations ambulance arrival mode. Source: AIHW Data Mental Health Services Provided in emergency departments data tables 2016-17 to 2020-21
Overnight admitted mental health care
In New South Wales the average length of stay for mental health patients in public hospitals has been above the national average, peaking at 24.9 days in 2016-17.
Average length of stay for mental health patients in public hospitals - NSW
Source: AIHW 2022. Web report: Mental Health Services in Australia. Overnight admitted mental health care. Overnight admitted mental health related care tables, Table ON.1
Sources
50AIHW 2022. Specialised mental health care facilities tables 2019-20. Table FAC.13. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/mental-health-services-in-australia/report-content/specialised-facilities