Evaluation of the mental health nurse incentive program
4.6 Geographic access to the program
The supply-driven design features described above have contributed to a further characteristic of the program: uneven access to MHNIP services across the country.
As part of the evaluation HMA developed a model to project demand of MHNIP sessions and patients in 2012-2013. Summary results of the model output showing the number of MHNIP sessions provided at the jurisdiction level, relative to the size of the target population within that jurisdiction, are shown in table 4.6.
The effect of the supply driven program design features was that use of the program could 'take-off' where there was strong interest in the program and organisation and nurse sponsors. Where these preconditions did not exist, availability was patchy or even non-existent, as in the Northern Territory.
Key Finding 8: access to MHNIP services varies by jurisdiction. The supply-side driven design characteristics of MHNIP meant that service growth was not always linked to geographic areas where there was higher relative need for new services.
Information in table 4.6 suggests that the MHNIP target population may be over-serviced in parts of Victoria and Tasmania. Further investigation of the underlying level of needs of patients accessing the program needs to occur before firm conclusions are made on this issue. Section 5.10 provides additional commentary on variability in the levels of patient's mental health and wellbeing observed at case study sites.
Access to MHNIP by socioeconomic status was not explored as part of this evaluation.
Table 4.6: 2012-2013 Access to MHNIP services by jurisdiction: derived estimate of patient numbers receiving MHNIP as a proportion of the MHNIP target groupa
| NSW | Vic | Qld | SA | WA | Tas | NT | ACT | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of MHNIP Sessions, 2012/13 | 30,172 | 72,472 | 29,368 | 4,596 | 5,628 | 5,400 | 0 | 348 | 147,984 |
| Derived Patientsb | 10,940 | 26,278 | 10,649 | 1,666 | 2,041 | 1,958 | 0 | 126 | 53,658 |
| Estimated MHNIP target populationc | 26,730 | 20,763 | 17,266 | 6,024 | 8,785 | 1,792 | 915 | 1,400 | 83,675 |
| Derived Patients as % of Target population | 40.9% | 126.6% | 61.7% | 27.7% | 23.2% | 109.3% | 0.0% | 9.0% | 64.1% |
a 0.58% of the 2012-13 adult population aged 18 to 64 years.
b MHNIP derived patient numbers: a calculation of the estimated number of patients was derived based on assumptions about by the average number of patients per session and the average number of sessions received by a patient.
c Collated from ABS Population projections Cat 3222.0, Series B