There was a gap in mental health services available to a disability pensioner who took his own life, a coroner has ruled.
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The report examining the 42-year-old man's death also noted a "big shortage" of psychologists and psychiatrists in northwest Tasmania where he lived.
The man, who suffered significant mental and physical health conditions for most of his life and cycles of alcohol and drug abuse, died in August 2021.
Coroner Olivia McTaggart said there was a "gap in the delivery of optimal mental health services to him".
"Whilst (his) death perhaps could not have ultimately been prevented, intensive community case management to treat his mental health conditions was required and may well have assisted him," she wrote.
"Such a service was not available to (him) and should be considered in plans for mental health services for the northwest region, if it does not already form part of such plans."
Fifteen months before his death, the man was referred by his general practitioner Dr Nimali Samarabandu to the Adult Community Mental Health Services North West in Burnie.
The referral was declined on the basis he did not fit the criteria for the Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team input and should be referred to a private psychiatrist.
The man consulted with Hobart-based psychiatrist Dr Ross Kirkman via teleconference, who provided "appropriate treatment and advice" given the constraints of COVID-19.
He later had two teleconference consultations with a Melbourne-based psychiatrist after he asked to see someone else, but each session was less than six minutes long.
Ms McTaggart commended Dr Samarabandu for making all appropriate referrals and noted the man had been offered a psychologist's referral but declined.
Dr Kirkman said in a best case scenario, the man would have been intensely case managed on a weekly or fortnightly basis by a local adult mental health multidisciplinary team.
"However, it is my understanding that there is no such service in the northwest or the north regions of the state," he said.
"Because of the lack of community services, and because I am a bulk billing practitioner, many GPs refer patients such as (him) to me.
"Unfortunately, it's not feasible or possible for me to provide intensive case management but I guess in this situation there were few options available."
Dr Samarabandu agreed with Dr Kirkman's concerns, noting a big shortage of psychologists and psychiatrists in the northwest, long wait lists and an inability to meet demand.
A spokesman for Tasmania's health department extended condolences to the man's loved ones and noted the coroner's comments.
He said North West Regional Hospital redevelopments included $40 million for the first stage of a new mental health precinct, expected to be complete by 2025/26.
He said the department is planning to implement a mental health emergency response service in the northwest and was addressing statewide recruitment challenges through a 2040 strategy.
Ms McTaggart acknowledged the man's father for helping his son over many years.
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Australian Associated Press
