DOCTORS REFORM SOCIETY
Media Release
Monday, 9 October 2006
HALF MEASURES FOR MENTAL HEALTH WELCOME
" Today's announcement by the Prime Minister of the $500 million rebates scheme, as part of a program to inject $1.9 billion into mental health over 4 years, is welcome as an indicator that mental health is being recognised by the Commonwealth is a significant issue," said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society.
"Additional funding for patients to access GPs and psychiatrists is a significant benefit for patients. However one third of $1.9 billion will go to funding Medicare access to psychologists which recognises the importance of psychologists in the management of mental illness, but is a very wasteful and inequitable funding mechanism. It means funds are distributed to where psychologists and psychiatrists are, rather than to where patients with the greatest need are," said Dr Woodruff.
"Additional funding is needed for rural and remote areas and for development of mental health specialist services in rural areas. This is essential for rural and outer urban areas in Australia to receive an adequate mental health service".
"The amount committed is only one quarter of that recommended to address the problem but is a start. Each year the Federal Government finds five times that amount to fund the inefficient and inequitable private health insurance rebate. It has a huge budget surplus. It can do better," said Dr Woodruff.
"The three challenges now are to get the level of commitment up to what has been recommended by the bipartisan Senate Inquiry, to get State Governments to commit to funding increases and to get the State and Federal Governments to work together rather than to make unilateral politically motivated announcements".
Dr Tim Woodruff
President
Doctors Reform Society
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