Government "committed" to mental health cuts

Doctors have pledged to continue their fight against cuts to mental health services as the government said today it was still “committed” to its original Budget plans.

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.”

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

GP Super Clinics - Is there ever something for nothing?!

Super Clinic owners unhappy with tax

Owners of the new GP Super Clinics who are being given millions of dollars in government grants are disgruntled that the grants are being taxed.

The owner of the $1m super clinic in the southern rural NSW town of Narrandera, who has been awarded a share of $528m from the government, is complaining she has been hit with a tax bill on the grant, according to reports in The Australian.
She says she is awaiting a private ruling from the tax office following the $380,000 bill.

This comes despite the Federal government stating in its Super Clinic guidelines that both these grants and the Primary Care Infrastructure Grants would be treated as income, and therefore open to taxation.

Each of the 64 Super Clinics being built across the country are being given a share of $528m in grants.

Meanwhile GPs receive a share of only $64.5m to upgrade their practices through the Primary Care Infrastructure Grants, with a choice of $150,000, $300,000, or $500,000 grants.

Around 240 clinics were shortlisted to negotiate a funding agreement last year, with another round of grants to be allocated this year.

Applicants to the Primary Care Infrastructure Grants are being warned “to carefully consider the likely taxation treatment of any funding provided by the Commonwealth as part of this Program, prior to submitting an application.”

More information is available from the Australian Tax Office website.