'Not enough' mental health beds in Tasmania after arson attack, union warns

A mental health inpatient unit in Tasmania's north-west has been shut down following an arson attack, leaving the region with a severe shortage of beds. The 19-bed Spence Clinic, located at Burnie's North West Regional Hospital, suffered extensive damage when a fire was allegedly set on Saturday night. Health workers claim the facility was already operating over capacity, with 19 beds filled at the time of the incident.

The health union, Health and Community Services Union (HACSU), has warned that mental health beds across the state are at maximum capacity and will struggle to accommodate the additional patients. The state government has plans for a replacement facility set to open in 2028, but the loss of the only dedicated public mental health facility in the north-west will place a significant strain on the already crisis-stricken health system.

Police have charged a 28-year-old woman with arson. Interim arrangements have seen patients transferred to North West Private Hospital and Launceston General Hospital, with some expected to be moved to Royal Hobart Hospital later. Both hospitals are also at capacity, leaving limited options for those needing mental health services in the future.

The health union's Robbie Moore expressed concern for the staff, who have been through a traumatic event and must support the patients in the interim. The state government is exploring options such as hospital-in-the-home care to help alleviate the bed shortage. However, it remains unclear whether the Spence Clinic will ever reopen, as the fire service has yet to provide a building survey and insurance assessment.