Government "committed" to mental health cuts
Following the release of the long-awaited Senate report into mental health services (link) President of the RACGP Professor Claire Jackson said it had “opened the door to ongoing constructive discussion” with the government.
But her assurance came as Minister for Mental Health Mark Butler said the government would be considering the enquiry’s recommendations but was “committed to the measures in our budget”.
“We’ll consider the recommendations of the enquiry, just like we would with any other Senate enquiry,” a spokesperson told 6minutes.
“However, we're committed to the measures in our budget which together deliver the single largest investment in new mental health measures in Australian history.”
The report released on Tuesday recommended that the cuts to the Better Access scheme, which will see GP mental health services slashed by nearly half, be delayed until there is an “adequately equipped” alternative program for patients.
“Overall, the final Senate report leaves much open for interpretation due to its failure to provide clear recommendations,” Professor Jackson said.
“It is the opinion of the College that a strong case has been made to justify greater reward and recognition in relation to providing mental healthcare plans – an issue the College will continue to fiercely advocate for”.
She said she would be urging the government to take on the recommendation “to revise its scheduling for the 2011-12 Federal Budget changes to ensure continuity of care”, in order “to allow for a final consensus to be formed, agreeable to the vast majority of health professionals desiring the best mental health outcomes for their patients and communities.”
