ASoP on ABC Drive
- Jul 30
- 1 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
ASoP CEO Dr Pramudie Gunaratne joined ABC Drive with Thomas Oriti to discuss the NSW Government's reforms to mental health crisis response, including the new Virtual Mental Health Hub and greater involvement of health professionals in responding to Triple Zero calls.
Dr Gunaratne welcomed the investment and the shift away from police being the default response to mental health emergencies, while emphasising that the success of the reforms will depend on what happens beyond the initial crisis response.
“Triage only works if there's somewhere meaningful to actually refer these people to. Otherwise, people will find themselves stuck in this cycle of crisis, where there's an emergency response and then they're discharged back out.”
She also cautioned against creating a new crisis response system without addressing the pressures facing existing community mental health services.
“We still have the same crumbling mental health system buckling under the weight of growing demand. And then on the other side, we have this shiny new triage system, but the two things don't necessarily connect particularly well.”
Most importantly, ASoP believes the success of the new model must be measured by outcomes for the people it is designed to help — not simply efficiencies for emergency services.
“Are they safer? Do they receive the follow-up care that they need? Are they less likely to reach the same point of crisis again?”
The reform is a welcome step in the right direction. The test will be whether it connects people in crisis with the care and support they need to recover.
Listen to the full interview below.
