NSW Mental Health System Faces Crisis as Over 200 Psychiatrists Resign

Hospital bed closures and controversial contingency plans heighten concerns over public safety and patient care in New South Wales.

More than 60 mental health beds in NSW hospitals have been temporarily closed due to mass resignations of psychiatrists over pay disputes.
Over 200 psychiatrists have tendered resignations, with 43 already leaving and others delaying their departures; they demand a 25% pay increase to address workforce shortages.
Critics, including mental health professionals and nurses, warn that the government's contingency plans, which rely on nurses and non-specialists, risk compromising patient care and safety.
The crisis has sparked concerns about increased risks to public safety, with judges and advocates highlighting potential impacts on the criminal justice system and forensic mental health patients.
The NSW government claims to have mitigation plans in place, including hiring locum psychiatrists and reconfiguring wards, but critics argue these measures are inadequate to address the systemic challenges.