Psychiatrists warn new mental health unit at Westmead could be an ‘empty shell’ as workforce dispute drags on

Construction of a new mental health facility set to become the largest in New South Wales began on Wednesday in western Sydney, but psychiatrists say it will be an “empty shell” until the issues within the state’s workforce are resolved. The doctors union, the Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation (Asmof), representing psychiatrists, is arguing for a special levy to increase pay by 25%. “None of the female beds are open so there are no high-risk female beds in NSW. Currently the waiting time for patients accepted to this unit is over 6 months,” Gunaratne said. “Until we sort out crisis in our mental health workforce in NSW, opening such new units will be a waste of time and money.