A push to balance the state budget drove the controversial decision to close a Brisbane youth mental health unit, an inquiry has been told.

The Barrett Adolescent Centre Commission of Inquiry is looking into the former LNP government's decision to close the facility in January 2014.

Within eight months of the Barrett Centre's closure, three former patients — Will Fowell, Caitlin Wilkinson and Talieha Nebauer — had died.

Today the inquiry was told an expert group warned of the risks.

The group's chairwoman, Dr Leanne Geppert, said they considered that the residential centre provided an essential tier-three service for adolescents with severe and complex mental illness.

Counsel assisting the inquiry Paul Freeburn asked Dr Geppert what had been done about the expert panel's concerns.

Dr Geppart replied: "Just because it [money] wasn't available at that point in time didn't mean there wasn't going to be an opportunity very soon after.

"There was no timeframe put on 'we don't have any additional funds'.

"It was just at this point in time it was very clear to everyone that there was I guess and an important role and commitment by the government at that time to identify efficiencies and bring the budget back into a balanced state.

"We were all aware that we were looking at improving the budget at that time and it was not likely there was going to be anything available to us as far as new capital dollars," Dr Geppart said.

Mr Freeburn asked whether the expert panel's (ECRG) report might have been considered a "game-changer".

"You said that this report deserved a lot of respect — there were experts, community representatives on it.

"Given that, wasn't it worth seeing, making a submission or report which said, 'Look, this report says that it is important, there are risks associated if you don't do it, we need to allocate funds or at least make the option available to the government of the day?'"

Dr Geppert replied: "The ECRG was a very important part of the process, but following on from that there were further deliberations and discussions both within West Moreton and the [health] department about what are the options around a tier-three service.

"Consideration around 'should we implement the recommendations of the ECRG' absolutely continued to occur through other forums following the ECRG."

Former health minister and Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg is due to appear before the inquiry next week.