Public hospitals are struggling to cope with mounting pressure, as limited resources and a growing number of mental health presentations push the system to its limits.
Patients requiring urgent mental health care are spending an average of seven hours waiting in public emergency departments, according to the Australian Medical Association's annual report released on Thursday.
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The report paints a grim picture, revealing that patients are forced to wait unacceptably long periods in inappropriate settings, which further worsens their symptoms, according to AMA president Danielle McMullen.
"For many of these patients, a hospital admission is required and the journey through the ED is a daunting and overwhelming experience," she said.
"Patients are facing long waits in bright, noisy environments that often lead to increased agitation and distress. Sadly, this can lead to either verbal or physical assaults on staff, with violence in public hospitals continuing to rise."
