State Budget 2009-10: Mental health budget paves way for reform and patient care improvements

Mental Health Minister Graham Jacobs said today that mental health and drug and alcohol services for Western Australians have been allocated additional funding for the enhancement of services and facilities to support clients, their families and carers.

The Government's three per cent efficiency dividend process had delivered Health Department administrative and productivity savings that have been redirected to front line mental health services. This included new mental health beds and additional residential and community care facilities.

"It is recognised that in spite of the harsh economic conditions and the need to make tough financial choices, the provision of good quality, accessible and appropriate mental health services are important benchmarks that the State Government must achieve," Dr Jacobs said.

"The Government is ensuring ongoing reform to improve the WA mental health system and substantial progress is being made to deliver the commitments and support families and the community."

The State Government has recognised the importance of mental health services with the appointment of Western Australia's first Minister for Mental Health and the establishment of an independent statutory Commissioner for Mental Health and Wellbeing.

WA Health has commenced work on a State Mental Health Policy and a Mental Health Strategic Plan 2010-2020 for WA and is developing a comprehensive $13million WA State Suicide Prevention Strategy.

"A full review of the existing Mental Health Act 1996 has been undertaken and this review work is informing the drafting of new mental health legislation," the Minister said.

Pressure on the availability of mental health beds in Perth should ease with $12.3million earmarked for an expanded facility at Joondalup Health Campus to deliver 42 mental health unit beds. Planning is also being finalised to commence the development of new mental health facilities at Sir Charles Gairdner and Osborne Park hospitals.

Specialised mental health services to provide care for patients in authorised hospitals and specialist mental health inpatient units were allocated $209.6million to support the 2,655 clinical and other staff who cared for patients in specialised mental health facilities.

Community mental health services received $184.7million in the Budget to support a range of community-based services including emergency assessment and treatment, case management and day programs in clinic or home settings by government and non-government agencies (NGOs).

Residential mental health care, to fund services contracted from NGOs which provide home type, or nursing home or hostel residential care to persons with long-term mental health conditions, was allocated $14.6million in the Budget.

"The State Government has recognised the significance of preventing and reducing drug use, drug-related harm, high risk alcohol use and alcohol-related harm for the individual and the community by maintaining substantial funding of the Drug and Alcohol Office (DAO)," Dr Jacobs said. 

"This Budget appropriated $52.7million for this agency's ongoing State-wide network of treatment services, prevention programs and research activities.

"During 2008-09 DAO implemented a number of strategies in addition to its existing service and health care programs.

"DAO has been especially active in the development of strategies for alcohol programs and counselling initiatives for indigenous people residing in rural towns and remote communities, particularly in the Kimberley and the Pilbara."

WA Budget statements are available at http://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au/