Same day admitted mental health-related care

Some people’s mental health care needs require care in a hospital setting. The care may be provided in a hospital ward or other facility such as an emergency department or outpatient clinic. When receiving hospital care, a patient may be admitted to the hospital for part of a day (same day admitted mental health care), a single overnight stay, or for a number of days.

Data downloads and links:

Same day admitted mental health-related care 2019–2020 tables (130KB XLSX)

Same day admitted mental health-related care 2019–2020 section (661KB PDF)

Data source and key concepts related to this section

Data coverage includes the time period 2006–07 to 2019–2020. This section was last updated in May 2022.

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Key points

  • In 2019–20, there were 59,002 same day admitted mental health-related hospitalisations from public hospitals of which more than a quarter (29.4%) included specialised psychiatric care.
  • Almost 1 in 4 (22.4%) of same day, admitted mental health-related hospitalisations with specialised psychiatric care in public hospitals had a principal diagnosis of Depressive episode.
  • Between 2009–10 and 2019–20, there has been an average annual increase of 12.4% in the population rate of public same day hospitalisations for patients aged 18–24 years with specialised psychiatric care (an increase from 3.5% in 2009–10 to 11.4% in 2019–20).
  • In 2019–20, there were 41,660 same day public admitted mental health-related hospitalisations without specialised psychiatric care; equivalent to a national rate of 16.3 per 10,000 population.
  • In 2019–20, about 20,400 patients received same day admitted mental health care from private hospitals.
  • About 262,400 days of same day care were provided by private hospitals.

Same day admitted mental health care — public hospitals

This section presents information on same day admitted patient mental health-related hospitalisations in Australian public hospitals. Where possible, a distinction is made between hospitalisations with and without specialised psychiatric care. Further information on where the data is sourced can be found in the data source section.

There were 3.7 million same day hospitalisations from public hospitals in 2019–20, inclusive of acute and psychiatric hospitals. Of these, 59,002 were mental health-related, accounting for roughly 1 in 60 (1.6%) of all same day hospitalisations and more than a quarter of these involved specialised psychiatric care (17,342 or 29.4%).

Specialised same day admitted patient mental health care — public hospitals

Specialised same day public admitted mental health care takes place within a designated psychiatric ward or unit. These are staffed by health professionals with specialist mental health qualifications or training and have the treatment and care of patients affected by mental illness as their principal function. This may also be referred to as specialised psychiatric care.

States and territories

In 2019–20, there were 17,342 same day public admitted mental health-related hospitalisations with specialised psychiatric care; equivalent to a national rate of 6.8 per 10,000 population.

The rate of same day public acute hospital mental health-related hospitalisations with specialised psychiatric care was highest for Queensland (17.6 per 10,000 population) (Figure SD.1.1).

Figure SD.1: Same day public admitted mental health-related hospitalisations and procedures with specialised psychiatric care, states and territories, 2019–20

Alt text: Figure SD 1.1, vertical stacked bar chart showing the Same day public admitted mental health-related hospitalisations and procedures with specialised psychiatric care, state and territory, by hospital type, 2006–07 to 2019–20. Total for both public acute and public psychiatric hospitals in New South Wales 6.8 , Victoria 0.8, Queensland 17.6, Western Australia 0.7, South Australia 4.7, Tasmania 0.7, Australian Capital Territory 3.1, Northern Territory 2.1. Refer to Table SD.5.

Figure SD.1.2, a line chart showing the number of same day admitted mental-health related hospitalisations and procedures with specialised psychiatric care by type of hospital from 2006–07 to 2019–20. In public acute hospitals there were 10,792 hospitalisations and 10,398 procedures in 2006–07 which gradually increased to 16,510 hospitalisations and 11,958 procedures in 2019–20. In public psychiatric hospitals there were 2,029 hospitalisations and 1,114 procedures in 2006–07 which gradually decreased to 832 hospitalisations and 899 procedures in 2019–20. Refer to table SD.3.

Note: The Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory do not have any public psychiatric hospitals.

Source: National Hospital Morbidity Database: Table SD.5.

Source: XLS DownloadSame day admitted mental health-related care 2019–2020 tables (131KB XLSX)

Patient demographics

In 2019–20, the rate of same day public admitted mental health-related hospitalisations with specialised psychiatric care was highest for patients aged 85 years and older and lowest for those aged 17 years and under (45.0 and 4.1 per 10,000 population respectively) (Figure SD.2). Overall, the hospitalisation rate was higher for females than males (7.9 and 5.7 respectively).

Figure SD.2: Same day public admitted mental health-related hospitalisations with specialised psychiatric care, by demographics, 2019–20

Figure SD.2, horizontal bar chart showing the per cent and rate (per 10,000 population) of same day public admitted mental health-related hospitalisations with specialised psychiatric care by age-group, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness and SEIFA quintile. Persons by age group: 5–11 years 0.1%; 12–17 years 4.3%; 18–24 years 15.5%; 25–34 years 17.6%; 35–44 years 13.5%; 45–54 years 13.7%; 55–64 years 8.3%; 65–74 years 7.6%; 75–84 years 6.0%; 85 years and older 13.5%. Persons by sex: males 41.3%; females 58.7%. Persons by indigenous status: Indigenous Australians 6.0%; Non-Indigenous Australians 94.0%. Persons by remoteness: major cities 85.0%; inner regional 9.8%; outer regional 4.9%; remote and very remote 0.3%. Persons by SEIFA: quintile one (most disadvantaged) 18.9%; quintile two 14.0%; quintile three 21.8%; quintile four 23.3%; quintile five (least disadvantaged) 22.0%. Refer to Table SD.7.

Note: Age-standardised rate is shown for Indigenous status.

Source: National Hospital Morbidity Database: Table SD.7.

Principal diagnosis

The 5 most frequently reported principal diagnoses in 2019–20 for same day public mental health-related hospitalisations with specialised psychiatric care were Depressive episode (ICD-10-AM code: F32) (22.4%), Other anxiety disorders (F41) (10.3%), Schizophrenia (F20) (7.0%), Recurrent depressive disorders (F33) (5.5%) and Reaction to severe stress and adjustment disorders (F43) (5.5%) (Figure SD.3.1).

Figure SD.3: Proportion of same day public admitted mental health-related hospitalisations with specialised psychiatric care, for 5 commonly reported principal diagnoses, 2019–20

Alt text: Figure SD 3.1, horizontal bar chart showing the per cent of same day public admitted mental health-related hospitalisations with specialised psychiatric care for 5 commonly reported principal diagnoses. The 5 common principal diagnoses: Depressive episode (F32) 22.4%; Other anxiety disorders (F41) 10.3%; Schizophrenia (F20) 7.0%; Recurrent depressive disorders (F33) 5.5%; Reaction to severe stress and adjustment disorders (F43) 5.5%. Refer to Table SD.8.

Figure SD.3.2, a horizontal bar chart showing the per cent of same day admitted mental health-related hospitalisations with specialised psychiatric care for 5 of the most commonly reported procedure blocks in 2019–20. There were 26.2% of hospitalisations for people with a procedure block of Cerebral anaesthesia, 26.2% for Electroconvulsive therapy, 9.3% for Generalised allied health interventions, 3.8% Other therapeutic interventions and 2.1% for Mental, behavioural or psychosocial assessment. Refer to Table SD.11.

Source: National Hospital Morbidity Database: Table SD.8.

Source: XLS DownloadSame day admitted mental health-related care 2019–2020 tables (131KB XLSX)

Procedures

The most frequently reported procedure blocks for same day public mental health-related hospitalisations with specialised psychiatric care in 2019–20 were Cerebral anaesthesia (35.4% of procedures), and Electroconvulsive therapy (35.4%), which were both associated with 26.2% of hospitalisations (Figure SD.3.2). Cerebral anaesthesia is a form of general anaesthesia most likely associated with the administration of electroconvulsive therapy, a form of treatment for depression, which was the most common principal diagnosis for hospitalisations with specialised psychiatric care. The 3rd most frequently reported procedure block was Generalised allied health interventions (16.2% of procedures and 9.3% of hospitalisations). Of these allied health interventions, procedures provided by Social work were the most common (40.2%), followed by Psychology (22.7%) and Occupational therapy (15.9%). 

Non-specialised admitted patient mental health care

Non-specialised admitted patient mental health care takes place outside of a designated psychiatric unit, but for which the principal diagnosis is considered to be mental health-related. A list of mental health related principal diagnoses is available in the technical information section. Data for public acute and public psychiatric hospitals are combined in this section as there were very few hospitalisations without specialised psychiatric care in public psychiatric hospitals in 2019–20.

States and territories

In 2019–20, there were 41,660 same day public admitted mental health-related hospitalisations without specialised psychiatric care; equivalent to a national rate of 16.3 per 10,000 population. The majority (94.2%) of the hospitalisations were publically funded.

Patient demographics

In 2019–20, the highest rate of same day public mental health-related hospitalisations without specialised psychiatric care was for patients aged 85 years and over (25.6 per 10,000 population) and the lowest for those aged 0 to 11 years (4.0) (Figure SD.4). The hospitalisation rate was similar for males and females (16.4 and 16.1 respectively).

Figure SD.4: Same day public admitted mental health-related hospitalisations without specialised psychiatric care, by demographics, 2019–20

Figure SD.4, horizontal bar chart showing the per cent and rate (per 10,000 population) of same day public admitted mental health-related hospitalisations without specialised psychiatric care by age-group, sex, indigenous status, remoteness and SEIFA quintile. Persons by age group: 0–11 years 3.7%; 12–17 years 4.2%; 18–24 years 11.9%; 25–34 years 18.2%; 35–44 years 17.9%; 45–54 years 15.9%; 55–64 years 10.3%; 65–74 years 8.4%; 75–84 years 6.2%; 85 years and older 3.2%. Persons by sex: males 50.0%; females 50.0%. Persons by indigenous status: Indigenous Australians 11.2%; Non-Indigenous 88.8%. Persons by remoteness: major cities 66.3%; inner regional 16.5%; outer regional 12.0%; remote and very remote 5.2%. Persons by SEIFA: quintile one (most disadvantaged) 25.9%; quintile two 20.8%; quintile three 18.8%; quintile four 19.8%; quintile five 14.7%. Refer to Table SD.7.

Note: Age-standardised rate is shown for Indigenous status.

Source: National Hospital Morbidity Database: Table SD.7.

Principal diagnosis

In 2019–20, the most frequently reported principal diagnosis for same day public mental health-related hospitalisations without specialised psychiatric care were Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol (ICD-10-AM code F10) (23.9%), followed by Depressive episode (F32) (13.6%) (Figure SD.5.1).

Figure SD.5: Proportion of same day public admitted mental health-related hospitalisations without specialised psychiatric care, for 5 commonly reported principal diagnoses, 2019–20

Figure SD 5.1, horizontal bar chart showing the per cent of same day public admitted mental health-related hospitalisations without specialised psychiatric care for 5 commonly reported principal diagnoses for all public hospitals: Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol (F10) 23.9%; Depressive episode (F32) 13.6%; Mental and behavioural disorders due to other psychoactive substance use (F11-19) 11.1%; Other anxiety disorders (F41) 8.7%; Schizophrenia (F20) 6.2%. Refer to Table SD.8.

Source: National Hospital Morbidity Database: Table SD.8.

Source: Same day admitted mental health-related care 2019–2020 tables (131KB XLSX)

Procedures

The most frequently reported procedure block for same day public mental health-related hospitalisations without specialised psychiatric care was Cerebral anaesthesia (34.4% of procedures, and associated with 23.0% of hospitalisations), followed by Electroconvulsive therapy (32.1% and 21.4% respectively) (Figure SD.5.2). The 3rd most frequently reported procedure block was Generalised allied health interventions (16.1% and 9.0% respectively). Of these allied health interventions, Social work procedures were the most common (47.1% of allied health interventions), followed by Pharmacy (14.0%) and Physiotherapy (12.0%).

Same day admitted mental health care — private hospitals

Private hospital-based same day admitted mental health care is provided in either private hospitals with psychiatric beds or private psychiatric day hospitals (APHA 2020) (information on hospital types can be found in the mental health care facilities key concepts section).

Further detail can be found in the data source section.

States and territories

In 2019–20, 20,439 patients received 262,402 same day mental health-related days of care from private hospitals; an average number of 12.8 care days per patient. These figures equate to 8.0 patients per 10,000 population and 102.7 care days per 10,000 population.

The rates of patients per 10,000 population ranged from 7.1 in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory (combined) to 10.1 in Queensland in 2019–20. (Figure SD.6.1). There were 29,771 clinically substantive episodes of care provided in 2019–20, which is a rate of 11.7 per 10,000 population. This rate ranged from 9.7 in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory (combined) to 15.5 in Queensland.

Figure SD.6: Patients and episodes of care for same day private admitted mental health care, by states and territories, 2019–20

Figure SD.6.1, column graph showing the rate of episodes and patients (per 10,000 population) receiving same day private admitted mental health care. Episodes, NSW/ACT 9.7 (per 10,000 population), Victoria 12.2, Queensland 15.5, WA, SA, Tas NT 10.4, Total 11.7. Patients, NSW/ACT 7.1 (per 10,000 population), Victoria 8.1, Queensland 10.1, WA, SA, Tas and the NT 7.2, Total 8.0. Refer to Table SD.15

Figure SD.6.2, a line chart showing the number of same day private hospital care patients and episodes from 2015–16 to 2019–20. Patients, Victoria from 8,139 increasined to 8,096, NSW/ACT from 7,072 increased to 8,303, Queensland from 6,039 increased to 7,983 and WA, SA, Tas and NT from 6,128 decreased  to 5,389. The number of patients in NSW/ACT 5,332 increased to 6,109, Victoria from 5,289 increasedto 5,413, WA, SA, Tas and NT from 4,330 decreased to 3,733 and Queensland 3,970 increased to 5,184. Refer to Table SD.13

Source: Australian Private Hospitals Association Private Psychiatric Hospitals Data Reporting and Analysis Service 2021.

Source: Same day admitted mental health-related care 2019–2020 tables (131KB XLSX)

Patient demographics

Almost two-thirds of same day private mental health related hospitalisations were for female patients (64.0%). The population rate for females was 1.8 times that for males (10.2 and 5.8 per 10,000 population, respectively).

Figure SD.7: Patients receiving same day private admitted mental health care, by sex and age group, 2019–20

Horizontal bar chart showing the number and rate of male and female patients (per 10,000 population) receiving same day private admitted mental health care by age group (years). Males (per 10,000 population); 12–17 0.4; 18–24 5.5; 25–34 5.9; 35–44 9.5; 45–54 10.4; 55–64 8.5; 65–74 6.7; 75–84 3.5; 85+ 2.5. Females (per 10,000 population); 12–17 2.2; 18–24 16.4; 25–34 13.0; 35–44 14.4; 45–54 15.1; 55–64 12.7; 65–74 9.1; 75–84 6.3; 85+ 3.0. Refer to Table SD.16.

Note: No patients aged 0–11 years were recorded.
Source: Australian Private Hospitals Association Private Psychiatric Hospitals Data Reporting and Analysis Service 2021: Table SD.16.

Principal diagnosis

In 2019–20, the most common mental health diagnostic group of clinically significant episodes of care was Major affective and other mood disorders (46.9%), followed by Alcohol and other substance use disorders (15.7%) and Anxiety and Adjustment disorders (10.6%) (Figure SD.8).

Figure SD.8: Proportion of same day private admitted mental health care episodes, for the 5 most commonly reported mental health diagnostic groups, 2019–20

Figure SD.8, horizontal bar chart showing the proportion of same day private admitted mental health care episodes, for the 5 most commonly reported mental health diagnostic groups for 2019–20. Major affective and other mood disorders 46.9%; Alcohol or other substance use disorders 15.7%, Anxiety and Adjustment Disorders 10.6%, Post-traumatic stress disorders 9.2%, and Personality disorders 6.7%. Refer to Table SD.17.

Source: Australian Private Hospitals Association Private Psychiatric Hospitals Data Reporting and Analysis Service 2021: Table SD.17.