NSW psychiatrists welcome continued support for mental health workforce, but many of the gaps remain

The NSW Branch of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has welcomed the NSW Industrial Relations Commission’s decision to continue the statewide psychiatrist recruitment and retention allowance, saying it provides important stability for a mental health system under significant pressure.

NSW Branch Chair Dr Ian Korbel said the decision recognised the challenges facing the state's public mental health workforce and the need to maintain access to specialist mental health care for the community.

"One year ago, the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) recognised the significant pressures facing NSW's public mental health system and awarded an allowance aimed at helping retain and recruit psychiatrists,” he said.

"Since then, we've seen greater workforce stability and growth in psychiatrist numbers across NSW. While that is encouraging, we continue to face substantial workforce shortages, with around one quarter of psychiatrist positions still needing to be filled.

“Thankfully, this morning, the IRC confirmed an extension to this allowance for psychiatrists in NSW’s public mental health system. 

"The people of NSW need a strong and sustainable psychiatry workforce. Every psychiatrist we retain in the system means more people can access the specialist mental health care they need."

Dr Korbel said while the allowance helped, workforce challenges would not be solved through a single measure alone.

"The Government has recognised these challenges and its increased investment in training and workforce development is welcome,” he said.

"At the end of the day, when someone is having a mental health crisis, it doesn't matter who broke the system or who is fixing it. The only thing that matters is whether we can support them and see them through to recovery, when and where they need it most.

"Unfortunately, we still have a long way to go. Many of the underlying issues that are leading to burnout among psychiatrists are also resulting in poorer outcomes for the people they are trying to help.

"Getting the right help early improves outcomes and prevents crises, but workforce shortages and gaps particularly in community mental health services continue to make this difficult for many people across NSW.” 

When community mental health teams are adequately resourced, more people can access treatment earlier and closer to home, reducing the likelihood that they reach crisis point and require emergency or inpatient care, Dr Korbel said.

“Strengthening these services is not only better for patients and families, it is also critical to creating a system where psychiatrists can do their best work and build long-term careers in NSW,” said Dr Korbel.

“The NSW Government’s workforce planning and gap analysis has highlighted the need for ongoing investment in mental health services in the community so people could get the help they need closer to home. 

"If NSW is going to attract, train and retain the psychiatry workforce the community needs, we must focus on investing not only in people, but in services which can meet our patients’ needs.

Dr Korbel said well-resourced inpatient care for those with serious mental health crises was also critical. 

"Psychiatrists across the state tell us they want to work in systems where they can provide high-quality care, feel supported in their work and see their patients receiving the help they require without being turned away from emergency departments (EDs) or shuffled between services.

"We need an integrated mental health system that delivers the care people with mental health conditions need to lead fulfilling lives. Building that system is essential to retaining the workforce NSW needs for the future and is the next step towards rebuilding a mental health system in NSW that supports the most vulnerable and we can be proud of."

ENQUIRIES: For more information, or to arrange an interview call Kathleen Jessop on +61 437 315 911 or email media@ranzcp.org.  

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is a membership organisation that prepares medical specialists in the field of psychiatry, supports and enhances clinical practice, advocates for people affected by mental illness and advises governments and other groups on mental health care. For information about our work, our members or our history, visit www.ranzcp.org.

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