Systemic interventions to reduce child and youth mental health admissions and emergency department crisis presentations in a regional setting.

Emergency Department (Emergency Department) referrals to Child and Youth Mental Health Service increased disproportionately over time, rising by 56.4% between 2017 and 2021.

Relative to Emergency Department activity, admission rates declined from 12.52 to 5.98 per 1000 Emergency Department presentations, representing a 52.2% relative reduction.

Using Australian inpatient benchmarks, this equated to an estimated 176 bed-days avoided and an indicative cost saving of AUD$449,328 over the observed 3-month period.

Service evaluation feedback indicated perceived improvements in staff capability and admission appropriateness.