ACT Government injects funds to continue PACER initiative

As part of the ACT Government’s Mental Health Support Package, the Police, Ambulance and Clinician Early Response (PACER) initiative is set to receive an injection of funds to keep the program running in the Territory.

The PACER model has proved to be an asset to ACT residents. Since its launch in December 2019, PACER teams responded to 1,249 mental health call-outs which resulted in 963 Canberrans receiving care in their home, remaining in the community rather than being hospitalised.

“Diverting someone experiencing mental health crisis away from emergency departments and police custody means they can start recovering sooner from a better starting point.” Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Mick Gentleman said.

16 new PACER team members have completed their training and are ready to hit the road in 2021, bringing the total number of PACER first-responders to 29.

The $14.1 million from the ACT Government will secure the PACER program to operate every night from 2pm to midnight over the next four years.