Budget to increase access to mental health services

A record $1.14 billion for mental health in the 2012-13 Victorian Budget will provide better access to mental health services across the state, Mental Health Minister Mary Wooldridge said today.

Ms Wooldridge said a $61 million boost would allow 95 new mental health beds to be established and improve outcomes for people with a mental illness and their families. This funding will support the capacity of health services to meet and manage growth in presentations for mental health services.

Spending on mental health in 2012-13 will be $133 million more than when the Coalition Government came into office at the end of 2010.

Ms Wooldridge said the Budget delivered new investment in mental health beds to help take the pressure off emergency departments, as well providing new specialist services, including mother and baby units and eating disorder services.

“These initiatives will help all Victorians, including those living in Melbourne’s growth corridors and country Victoria, to get the care and services they need,” Ms Wooldridge said.

“The Coalition Government is investing in clinical and acute mental health services through a number of important initiatives.”

Investments include $3.9 million to operate the new four-bed Psychiatric Assessment and Planning Unit (PAPU) at Sunshine Hospital that will support about 400 patients each year.

In addition, increased mental health funding will fund the operation of 65 new mental health beds, including:

• 3 new adult acute inpatient beds at the Dandenong Hospital;
• 30 new secure extended beds at the Dandenong Hospital;
• 10 new aged acute inpatient beds at the Dandenong Hospital; and
• 22 new Community Care Unit beds at the Austin Hospital.

The Government will also invest $7.8 million as part of the National Partnership on mental health to build three four-bed PAPUs at three health services in metropolitan Melbourne and four new adult mental health beds in regional Victoria.

“These new beds will ease pressure on mental health inpatient services and reduce the length of time that people wait in the emergency department,” Ms Wooldridge said.

Ms Wooldridge also announced an additional $6 million investment in the construction of two new five-bed Regional Mother-Baby Mental Health units.

“This fulfils our election commitment and builds on the commitment made in the last Budget to build a five-bed Mother-Baby Unit in Bendigo,” Ms Wooldridge said.

“Strong family relationships are important in ensuring Victorians with a mental illness are supported in their recovery and can participate in the community.

“These mother-baby units will enable women experiencing post-natal mental illness and their babies to receive the treatment they need while remaining close to partners, their other children and their extended family,” Ms Wooldridge said.

The Coalition Government will also meet the growing demand for eating disorder services among young people and their families. This includes $3 million additional funding in the Budget to run a new and innovative intensive day-patient program at the Royal Children’s Hospital for young people with eating disorders.

Additional mental health funding this year will provide a further $4.9 million for improved access to existing eating disorder day programs and services for young people and adults with severe eating disorders in Melbourne’s north and south.

The former Labor government provided only pilot funding for the Body Image and Eating Disorders Treatment and Recovery Service (BETRS) in Kew and Southern Health’s Wellness and Recovery Centre projects. By securing ongoing funding, the Coalition has now provided these important services with the certainty they need.

Ms Wooldridge said Victoria’s community-based mental health services were the backbone of mental health care in the community.

“We are already working with the sector on an ambitious reform agenda that will deliver better targeted, planned and co-ordinated services to respond more effectively to individual needs,” Ms Wooldridge said.

“This year’s Budget, which includes more than $100 million for community-based mental health services, will provide a good foundation for reform, improvement and expansion of this important sector,” Ms Wooldridge said.