Mental health initiative in Australia links experts to potential patients before hospital transfer

An Australian initiative that uses technology to allow mental health professionals to assess potential patients has reduced the number of unnecessary transfers to hospital. The program, known as Police Ambulance Early Access to Mental Health Assessment via Telehealth (PAEAMHATH), gives paramedics and police the opportunity to get a potential patient triaged with a mental health clinician via telehealth. As well as providing a better outcome for the patient, the initiative is also freeing up valuable time for police and ambulance who aren’t required to transfer the patient to hospital.