Staff shortages force early discharge of mental health patients: Opposition
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The Queensland Opposition says mental health patients are being discharged early from a major Brisbane hospital, because of staff shortages.
Liberal National Party health spokesman John Paul Langbroek says mental health services at the Royal Brisbane Hospital are under threat because a number of staff have resigned.
Mr Langbroek says the lack of resources is putting lives at risk.
"I understand that it's now running with only half the staff required to keep mental health services running and that means that obviously people are being discharged prematurely and that increases the risk of suicide and aggression," he said.
"There have been a number of staff resignations including four nurses from the psychiatric emergency centre and that, according to the leak that I received, has a quote in it that says it threatens the viability of the current service."
Health Minister Stephen Robertson has denied the Opposition claims, saying decisions about whether to discharge patients are only made after clinical assessments.
"There's been a resignation of a number of nurses however, that is not, as the Opposition is suggesting, resulting in patients being discharged sooner than is clinically appropriate," he said.
