 | BETTER ACCESS TO SPECIALIST MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT
Thursday, 05 November 2009
Victorians with a mental illness and their carers will have improved access to specialist mental health services thanks to an $18 million Brumby Labor Government funding boost.
Visiting the Alfred Hospital today, Mental Health Minister Lisa Neville announced a range of health services that will receive the additional funding from the Enhanced Mental Health Triage Initiative.
“The Brumby Labor Government is standing up for vulnerable Victorians and working to improve access to vital mental health services,” Ms Neville said.
“Mental illness touches us all. One in five Victorians is affected by mental illness each year and many more will feel its impact through family, friends and colleagues.
“We understand that Victorians are concerned about the health and wellbeing of their loved ones, that’s why we are investing more than $18 million over five years to improve access to specialist mental health services across Victoria.
“The Enhanced Mental Health Triage Initiative will support early intervention by linking people to the right care and services at the right time, including primary health care and psychosocial support.
“The initiative will ensure that people in need will have 24/7 telephone access to skilled triage clinicians who will make appropriate assessments and referrals.
“The role of triage will be reformed to support the focus on early intervention, improve capacity to identify and respond to psychiatric crisis and ensure that people are linked to the most appropriate care at the right time.
“The initiative is a direct response to feedback from people with a mental health illness and their carers about how they access specialist mental health assessment and treatment and will be complemented by the new Mental Health Advice Line that will begin to be rolled out next month.
“This boost in funding will also allow Crisis Assessment and Treatment (CAT) teams to focus on treating people experiencing a mental health episode, and reduce the need for an in-patient admission.”
Ms Neville said that the health services to receive funding over the next two years include Melbourne Health, Southern Health, Bendigo Health, Goulburn Valley Health, North East Health Wangaratta, Wodonga Regional Health, Barwon Health, Alfred Health, Eastern Health, Ballarat Health, Latrobe Regional Hospital and St Vincent’s Health.
Local Member for Prahran, Tony Lupton said the Enhanced Mental Health Triage Initiative was a priority of the Brumby Labor Government’s bold 10-year mental health reform strategy Because Mental Health Matters.
“We are determined to achieve better health and economic outcomes for people with mental illness, their families, carers and friends,’’ Mr Lupton said.
|
