News
Boost To Queensland Mental Health Services |
| Spokesperson: | Sen Brett Mason - Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing |
| Date: | Wednesday, 11 July 2007 |
| Category: | State Health News |
| The Australian Government is providing almost $5 million over the next five years for additional mental health services in rural and remote areas of Queensland. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Brett Mason, said today that the funding was part of the first stage of the Government’s $72.3 million investment in the Mental Health Services in Rural and Remote Areas initiative. Speaking in Longreach, Senator Mason said the funding would ease the difficulties people living in rural and remote areas have in getting access to mental health services. Under stage one of the initiative the Government is providing more than $21 million to 15 organisations over five years for rural and remote areas across Australia. In Queensland, the four organisations funded under stage one of the initiative are the Royal Flying Doctor Service ($2.4 million), North and West Queensland Primary Health Care ($1.1 million), WuChopperen Health Service ($1.1 million) and Frontier Services ($200,000). Organisations will use the funding to provide mental health services by social workers, psychologists, Aboriginal health care workers, occupational therapists and mental health nurses. This funding complements the Better Access initiative in areas where utilisation of Medicare mental health services is low. Stage two of the initiative, due to commence later this year, will provide a further $20.6 million for mental health services in drought-affected areas across Australia. Media contacts: Travelling with Senator Mason, Paul McGlew: 0401 991 487 Carolyn Martin, in the Parliament House office, Canberra: 02 6277 3756 |
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