The system is failing to keep the small cohort of the most acutely unwell in treatment for their own safety, and everyone else’s.
A national tragedy is an excellent occasion to demand better manners from your opponents. It is a less comfortable occasion to examine whether governments are meeting their own obligations.
The horrific attack on Helen Haines should force a serious discussion about how we treat mental illness, and how much responsibility we have foisted onto families, neighbours and the police.
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A 40-tonne bridge has been lifted into place to connect the future $540 million Westmead Centre for Mental Health to Westmead Hospital.
The state’s mental health services are still using an IT system that was developed in 1999. The one that is meant to replace it is two years late, $24 million over budget, and incompatible with most hospitals’ systems.
The prime minister will meet UK counterpart Andy Burnham on Monday to discuss rules for British backpackers visiting on working holiday visas.
