The Turnbull Government will provide $4.8 million to boost mental health services in North West Tasmania, committing new funding for mental health nurses and extra support for patients in regional areas.
The funding is a direct response to an assessment carried out by the Tasmania Primary Health Network (PHN), which demonstrated that more community-based mental health services were needed in the state’s north west region.
The new funding will run over four years and will include:
- $1.6 million to Psychology CAFFE for additional psychological services in Devonport and the surrounding areas for people with moderate to high complexity mental health issues
- $2.4 million for a new extended hours Devonport mental health nursing service to support regional residents with more complex mental health needs, to help them avoid hospitalisation
- $600,000 for a new psychology service for Burnie residents
- $200,000 for additional services for people with complex mental health needs in the western end of the region, and to extend the service to King Island
Minister for Health Greg Hunt said mental illness does not discriminate and is far more prevalent than most people realise.
“Nearly half of all Australians will experience mental illness in their lifetime,” Minister Hunt said.
“This funding will provide extra psychological services in Devonport, Latrobe, Burnie and King Island and new mental health nursing services in Devonport.”
Liberal candidate for Braddon Brett Whiteley said the Turnbull Government has increased hospital funding by 42 per cent but there is always more to be done.
“Mental health is a particularly important area, and I am committed to delivering more support for local residents,” Mr Whiteley said
This funding in addition to $34.8 million the Turnbull Government is providing to Tasmania PHN over three years from 2016–17 for mental health services.
The Turnbull Government is committed to investing in mental health services for all Australians.
The 2018–19 Federal Budget included an additional $338.1 million for mental health funding.