Communications and advocacy update: 12 October
12 October 2023
Here’s an update on a few of the issues AMA Victoria is working on for members, including:
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Act implementation- update
- AMA Victoria support for continuation of funding for Program for Refugee Immunisation, Monitoring and Education (PRIME)
- TAC Provider Experience Survey.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Act implementation - update
Members would be aware that the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 came into operation on 1 September 2023.
While AMA Victoria recognises that the implementation and application of the Act is complex and evolving, the rushed process remains a cause for concern. As we have consistently communication to the Department and Government, without adequate resourcing and training, the mental health workforce will not be able to implement the intricacies of the Act, nor ensure its aspirations become reality.
AMA Victoria is committed to working with relevant Government Departments to provide further clarification on the Act's specifics and enhance the communication surrounding the Act, as well as the related regulations and guidelines.
If you have specific concerns, questions, or scenarios that you would like us to seek clarification on, please email AMA Victoria’s Senior Policy Advisor Lewis Horton at Lewish@amavic.com.au.
Further detail regarding the Act, Regulations and the Chief Psychiatrist’s Interim Guideline for Restrictive Interventions are available online at:
- Chief Psychiatrist’s Interim Guideline for Restrictive Interventions on 31 August 2023 (https://www.health.vic.gov.au/chief-psychiatrist/chief-psychiatrists-restrictive-interventions)
- Chief Psychiatrists Reporting Directive for Restrictive Interventions (https://www.health.vic.gov.au/chief-psychiatrist/chief-psychiatrists-restrictive-interventions)
- The Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 (https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/as-made/acts/mental-health-and-wellbeing-act-2022; 688 pages)
- The Mental Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2023 (https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/mental-health-and-wellbeing-regulations-2023/001; 22 pages)
- The Mental Health and Wellbeing Transitional Regulations 2023 (https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/mental-health-and-wellbeing-transitional-regulations-2023/001; 26 pages)
- The Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 Handbook (https://www.health.vic.gov.au/mental-health-and-wellbeing-act-handbook; online resource)
- Fact sheet for providers (including non-designated mental health and wellbeing service providers) https://www.health.vic.gov.au/mental-health-and-wellbeing-act-handbook
The Department has also hosted a hosted an information session targeted at the medical workforce. Links to the recorded session and presentation slides are available at the following links:
Watch the medical workforce information session and Download the presentation slides
AMA Victoria support for continuation of funding for Program for Refugee Immunisation, Monitoring and Education (PRIME)
AMA Victoria has written to the Victorian Government urging it to reconsider the cessation of state funding for the Program for Refugee Immunisation, Monitoring and Education (PRIME), an initiative developed to support catch-up immunisations in the refugee and asylum seeker communities.
Our letter noted that given the current severe strain on general practice, it would appear premature to cease funding PRIME and begin, in the Government’s words, the “transition to a primary care-led model consistent with Commonwealth Government’s Australian Immunisation Handbook on catch-up vaccination services for refugees”.
Our letter concluded by noting that this shift would, in the current circumstances, likely leave some of our community's most vulnerable members unvaccinated, with the attendant health, social, and economic consequences.
We will update members on the Government’s response.
TAC Provider Experience Survey
Share your views on working with the TAC
The TAC has launched its annual Provider Experience Survey and wants to hear your views on working with them and providing services to TAC clients.
Access the survey here.
Valuable feedback from TAC providers is critical in shaping the delivery of safe, high-quality, outcomes-focused care for TAC clients and ensuring a positive experience for providers.
The survey is open until 15 October and takes 10 minutes to complete. It can be completed by any TAC provider who has delivered treatment or services to a TAC client in the last 12 months.
