Queensland expands specialist mental health nursing in emergency departments
17 Aug 2026
A total of 53 specialist mental health nurses are being introduced across Queensland through funding from the Mental Health Levy.
The new roles have already started at Redland, Redcliffe and Hervey Bay hospitals. Recruitment is underway for Cairns, Nambour, Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Caboolture hospitals, with more hospitals expected to introduce the roles in the coming months.
For people experiencing a mental health crisis, visiting an emergency department can be difficult. The specialist nurses are working alongside emergency department teams to make the assessment and treatment process more coordinated.
At Redland Hospital, Emergency Mental Health Parallel Care Clinician Preety Game-Mtengezanwa works with emergency clinicians to consider both physical and mental health needs.
As a nurse practitioner, she can carry out assessments, arrange and interpret tests, develop treatment plans and make decisions about admissions and discharge within her scope of practice.
Having a specialist clinician already working in the emergency department can also reduce delays for people presenting with mental health concerns.
Preety said early conversations can help patients feel more comfortable, particularly when they arrive with complex needs.
At Redcliffe Hospital, nurse practitioner candidate Angus Hannon is also supporting people through assessment, triage and treatment.
He said listening to patients, showing empathy and treating them with respect are important parts of mental health care.
The new roles also focus on what happens after patients leave the emergency department. Nurses can help arrange follow-up, connect people with appropriate community services and provide information about available support.
The Queensland Government says the expansion is designed to strengthen the connection between emergency care and ongoing mental health support across the state.
Queensland expands specialist mental health nursing in emergency departments
Source: Queensland Government.