Capability

Mental health, alcohol and other drug service capability

Capability measures, including information related to staff, beds and nurse-to-patient ratios, provide an indication of Queensland Health’s ability to provide mental health, alcohol and other drug services through public hospitals, residential and community-based facilities.

Nurse-to-patient ratios in adult acute mental health wards

There is clear evidence to indicate that the number of nurses on a shift plays an important role in patient safety and quality of care. The Queensland Government legislated minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in the state’s public sector adult acute mental health wards on 15 November 2019.

For in-scope adult acute mental health wards, the Hospital and Health Boards Regulation 2023 sets minimum nurse staffing ratios at 1:4 for morning shifts, 1:4 for afternoon shifts, and 1:7 for night shifts, relative to the number of patients on the ward.

The existing industrially mandated Business Planning Framework (PDF 3162 kB) will continue to apply across all nursing and midwifery services in Queensland Health, regardless of whether a facility or ward is subject to existing nurse-to-patient ratios or minimum nurse and support worker legislation in public residential aged care facilities.