The Tasmanian majority Liberal Government is committed to increasing access to mental health services as well as continuing our commitment to preventative health, so that we can reduce demand on our acute health system into the future.
We know our community-based mental health service providers need funding certainty in order to better plan for the future and provide job security for the workforce.
That is why, as part of the broader integration of the mental health service system, we are pleased to be ending the current 12 month cycle of funding agreements, with future agreements to be over 3 years.
This will provide greater stability for those organisations as they work in close partnership with our Government to deliver better outcomes for consumers and their loved ones as part of the mental health reform agenda.
We are making good progress implementing actions in response to the Mental Health Integration Taskforce:
I look forward to continuing to work closely together with clinical and community sectors to deliver a more integrated mental health system that better supports Tasmanians with a mental illness to lead fulfilling lives able to recover from, or successfully manage, their mental illness.
The Government will also launch the Reform Agenda for the Alcohol and Drug Sector in Tasmania in coming months, to ensure appropriate, timely, effective support and treatment is in place for those affected by alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
Across Government we annually invest around $70 million in preventative health measures and this includes in our Healthy Tasmania Five Year Strategic Plan.
While we’ve made good inroads, there is more to do.
A compassionate Government looks after the most vulnerable and ensures support is there for all Tasmanians, when and where it is needed.
More Media Releases from Jeremy Rockliff
More Media Releases from the Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing