Shellharbour MP Anna Watson met with HSU regional organiser for Illawarra/Shoalhaven Andrew Gorman on Friday to discuss concerns over the lack of high-dependency mental health services in the region.

Six beds at Shellharbour Hospital’s Eloura West high-observance unit, offers the highest level of mental health care for the area spanning from Ulladulla to Coledale.

In August, the HSU voiced concerns  some patients weren’t receiving the correct level of care due to a lack of high-dependency beds. 

Mr Gorman said staff at the Eloura West unit were not equipped to be dealing with patients that needed high-dependency care. 

“Staff in high-observance units don’t have the same authority to restrain patients, then those in a high-dependency facility, it is not in their job description,” Mr Gorman said.

“And by 2016 we have an estimated population growth of 412,000 and we still have the same resources that we had in 2000.

“It is very important we look at this now, especially with the amount of suicides in this area and the major ice problem in the Illawarra.

“It is not enough, we need at least 12-20 beds within the Illawarra/Shoalhaven region.”

Ms Watson talked on the matter in State Parliament last week, and under instruction from the Minster for Mental Health the Illawarra/Shoalhaven Local Health District will meet with her on September 23.

She will be joined by Kiama MP Gareth Ward and South Coast MP Shelly Hancock. 

“When staff are going to the union because they fear for their safety, it becomes a community problem,” Ms Watson said.

“What we need is a briefing with the minister to discuss expanding the service throughout Illawarra and Shoalhaven.

“We need to identify what the problem is and why and how we can fix these problems.”

Ms Watson said she would be discussing expanding all health services in the briefing and also look into introducing a high-dependency facility to service the residents of the Shoalhaven.

A spokesperson for Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District said ISLHD’s Mental Health Service oversaw the provision of a broad range of specialist inpatient and community mental health services and programs across the District. 

"This includes early intervention, emergency care, assessment, rehabilitation and residential provisions for people living with mental illness.

"There are specialist services for children, adolescents, youth, adult and older people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those from non-English speaking backgrounds. 

The spokesperson said the district’s facilities include: 

"Community residential facilities at Dapto and the newly opened Sub-Acute Mental Health Unit at Shoalhaven, which provides a short stay community-based residential service. 

"Wollongong Hospital provides a general adult inpatient unit, a Psychiatric Emergency Care Centre and a dedicated inpatient unit for older people. 

"On the Shellharbour Hospital campus there are four mental health units; one observation unit, two general inpatient facilities and an Adolescent Psychiatric Care Unit. There is also a Rehabilitation Unit. 

"The Mental Health Service also provides a comprehensive range of non-inpatient services across the age span in both outpatient and community settings including  community mental health services and support services.

"There are also specific programs providing services to consumers, family and carer support and health promotion activities. "