Jeremy Rockliff

Premier of Tasmania



6 September 2021

Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing

Improving mental health care for older Tasmanians

The State Government is investing in mental health services for older Tasmanians to improve quality of care.

Work is now underway to develop a contemporary, best-practice vision and plan for the future of older persons’ mental health in Tasmania. 

This work follows the release of the Review of Roy Fagan Centre Older Persons Mental Health Services in July, when the Government committed to implementing the recommendations in full. 

The review recognised the work that has already been undertaken to improve communication, patient flow and standards of care and made six recommendations with a longer-term focus.

The implementation plan addresses these recommendations with a focus on adequate resourcing, robust clinical governance processes, and linkages with the broader mental health reform activity underway to attract a suitable workforce.

The work includes the establishment of a Project Advisory Group of key and diverse stakeholders from the community to support and inform the implementation of the plan.  

The advisory group will include representation from consumers and their families, Roy Fagan Centre and Older Persons Mental Health Services, Council of the Ageing, Mental Health Council of Tasmania, Flourish, Mental Health Family and Friends, and the University of Tasmania, and will seek input from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQI+ and Migrant communities. 

In addition to the $108 million in new funding for mental health and wellbeing in the Tasmanian Budget, an initial $1 million dollars has been allocated by the Department to develop a model of care for Older Persons Mental Health that meets the future needs of the Tasmanian community. 

The implementation plan can be found here: https://www.health.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/440371/Roy_Fagan_Centre_Implementation_Plan.pdf



More Media Releases from Jeremy Rockliff

More Media Releases from the Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing