Statewide mental health triage scale project

The Mental Health Branch plans to introduce a mental health triage scale and associated guidelines for all Victorian area mental health services (AMHS).

The statewide mental health triage scale is being developed and implemented (1) to promote a more consistent and clinically appropriate response to consumers, carers and referrers seeking access to mental health services and (2) to provide a basis for better data collection about service access, utilisation and demand. The triage scale classifies the outcome of the mental health triage process—i.e. the initial needs assessment of people who contact or who are referred to area mental health services.

The Victorian Chief Psychiatrist has led the development of a draft mental health triage scale and guidelines in consultation with the Mental Health Triage Scale Advisory Committee, which comprises senior clinical experts from the mental health sector, consumer and carer representatives, and members of the Mental Health Branch.

Following an expression of interest process, a number of mental health services have volunteered to participate in a six-month pilot and evaluation of the draft triage scale. The pilots commenced in April 2008. It is expected that statewide implementation of the triage scale will occur towards the end of 2008.

The draft scale and guidelines, background information about their development, and an update on the project are attached.

Mental Health Triage Scale - Project Update Newsletter - February 2008 (PDF file 136KB)

Towards a statewide mental health triage scale for Victoria’s area mental health services: background information - October 2007 (PDF file 56KB)

Draft mental health triage scale – pilot test version - August 2007(PDF file 38KB)

Statewide Mental Health Triage Scale - Guidelines to support pilot implementation in selected area mental heath triage scale - August 2007 (PDF file 260KB)