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Mental Health Funding Welcomed
Victorian AMA President Dr Mark Yates has welcomed the commitment by both the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments to substantially increase funding for mental health services.
The Federal Government’s commitment of $1.8 billion in funding yesterday and the Victorian Health Minister’s confirmation this morning that further funding will be made available in the May budget for mental health, is a good start for improving this chronically under funded section of health, Dr Yates said.
“This is an area of enormous need in Victoria,” Dr Yates said.
“While the state government injected a significant amount of funding into this area in the last budget, mental health has been under funded for many years. Additional funding of at least another $80 million is needed in next month’s state budget.
“Doctors, patients, families and friends are just not getting the support they need. We need more money for mental health services in our public hospitals and more support for GPs and other community based services.
Dr Yates said funding must be directed towards a substantial increase in the number and type of accommodation facilities available to people receiving treatment for mental illness.
In addition, Dr Yates said the state government’s May budget funding must focus on increasing mental health hospital bed numbers and ensuring mental health services are available in regional Victoria.
Dr Yates said specific priorities should include:
- Sub-acute care beds. These will be aimed at treating those with chronic conditions who require longer term care, but not permanent care. These beds would offer a graded progression from acute care to the community and may help reduce the readmittance rates for some patients who are currently being released from hospital too soon.
- Increased mental health services for older Victorians. Due to the increasing demand on psychiatric services by older Victorians, a range of services need to be increased including more acute aged care psychiatry beds.
“Let’s hope these funding announcements are not just window dressing, government commitment and funding is continued to be increased, and we see real improvements in this neglected area of health in the near future,” Dr Yates said.
“Mental health is an issue which touches everybody today. At last we are starting to see it treated as a major health priority by both governments.
“We look forward to working with the government and mental health advocacy groups to ensure the money goes where it will achieve the most for suffers of mental illness,” Dr Yates said.
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