"Mental Health Emergency Department Long Wait Times"

My parent has been diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2019. They have been going in and out of psychosis since as its never properly managed, my parent gets confused.

Since then we have tried getting them admitted while seriously unwell on several occasions at Midland St John of God Hospital. We have waited what I believe to be unacceptable lengthy wait times to get turned away and despite having concerns for my parent's safety and the public.

My sister has drove up twice this past 6 months and we've waited 8 plus hours to get turned away and them to down play my parent's condition and our serious concerns. Recently they were been sitting in the emergency department waiting room there for the usual 8 hours, they were told they were next, only to tell them they've put 4 extra people in front.

On their arrival the next morning the triage nurse even told my seriously ill father to go to their GP which would take days why my parent's out in the community so unwell. Its really distressing and degrading how people like my parent who are trying to do the right thing and keep everyone safe be, in my experience, ignored despite consistent attempts to get much needed help.