In February 2019, the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System was formally established.
The final report of the Commission, which was tabled in a special sitting of the Victorian Parliament on 2 March 2021, recommends a mental health and wellbeing system that provides holistic treatment, care and support for all Victorians. These reforms will significantly change the way mental health services are delivered in Northern and Western metropolitan Melbourne.
Following from these recommendations, as of 1 July 2022 Northern Health is a designated mental health service.
On 4 July, we welcomed Northern Area Mental Health Services and North West Area Mental Health Services, We also welcomed the staff of Merv Irvine Nursing Home and McLellan House.
On 7 November 2022, the Bundoora Aged Persons Mental Health Unit (APMHU) and Assessment and Treatment Services (APATT) transferred to Northern Health.
On the 1 July 2023, the Broadmeadows Aged Mental Health Unit will transition to Northern Health. Northern Health’s Aged Community services in the Northern region will also be expanded. We will be seeking expressions of interest for clinicians to join our team.
Collectively, this makes us the third largest mental health service in Victoria.
Frequently Asked Questions:
The RMH’s NorthWestern Mental Health Transition to Northern Health, including Merv Irvine Nursing Home and McLellan House Hostel.
- Why is NorthWestern Mental Health, separating its services across Northern Health, Western Health and Orygen?
The final report from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System has recommended reforms of Mental Health Services in Victoria. The Royal Commission recommended the Victorian Government establish a new responsive and integrated mental health and wellbeing system, which will support and promote mental health, as well as, prevent mental illness.
The Victorian Government has committed to supporting this recommendation. As a result, Mental Health Services currently provided by the RMH will be split based on the location of services, as well as, specialties. - Why is the Merv Irvine Nursing Home and McLellan House Hostel moving to Northern Health?
The Merv Irvine Nursing Home and McLellan House Hostel will re-join the mental health sector and as a result, they will be moving to the Mental Health division at Northern Health. - Which services will move across first?
In accordance with the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System the following is proposed: - From 1 July 2022 the following have transferred to Northern Health:
o Northern Area Mental Health Service (NAMHS),
o North West Area Mental Health Service (NWAMHS),
o Merv Irvine Nursing Home and
o McLellan House Hostel
This is to support the development of an integrated mental health and wellbeing system for Victoria. The Royal Melbourne Hospital has worked closely with NAMHS, NWAMHS, Merv Irvine Nursing Home and McLellan House Hostel to support the transfer of care of people, services and staff between designated health services.
The Aged Persons Mental Health Program (APMHP), parts of which are located in NAMHS, NWAMHS, IWAMHS, and MWAMHS will remain under NWMH management until the end of October 2022 to allow for additional redesign and stakeholder consultation to readily enable the streaming of Area Adult and Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Services as per recommendation 3(2)(b) of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System in the new Northern, Western and RMH configuration.
- By mid-2023 the following will transfer to Western Health:
o Mid-West Area Mental Health Services (MWAMHS) - By 1 July 2023 the following will separate from RMH:
o Orygen Specialist Program
For current mental health service locations, click here
