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Budget 2023-24
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BUDGET SECURES RECORD FUNDING TO TRANSFORM TASMANIA’S MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM

JEREMY ROCKLIFF MP, Premier and Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing

Brand new mental health precincts in every region of the state are part of the Tasmanian Liberal Government’s plan to transform the State’s mental health system.

Premier and Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Jeremy Rockliff, said the Government has a bold, long-term vision to transform mental health services across every region of the State, with plans for new contemporary mental health precincts in the South, North and North West.

“Overall, $120 million has been allocated in the 2023-24 Budget to commence construction of two new state-of-the-art Mental Health Services precincts at the Launceston General Hospital, and adjacent to the North West Regional Hospital,” the Premier said.

“In the South, St John’s Park will become Stage 3 of the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment, and $2 million has been allocated to continue development of a 20-year blueprint for the precinct and revitalisation of the site into a contemporary health care campus for Tasmanians.

The precinct will deliver a range of healthcare services including include mental health, alcohol and drug services, sub-acute, rehabilitation, older persons/geriatric evaluation, treatment and care, palliative care and community health services.

Meanwhile, we are well-progressed with our $20.7 million plan to build two new mental health facilities.  It was exciting to recently open the first of the two, the Peacock Centre, which provides
12 short stay beds and an integration hub bringing together a range of care and support services.

“The second facility at St John’s Park will include 15 short stay beds and another integration hub to bring together a range of care and support services.”  Construction will commence in 2023.

St John’s Park will also house a new $7.5 million eight-bed residential eating disorders treatment centre and funding of $24 million is provided to permanently fund and operate this facility and a state-wide Tasmanian Eating Disorder Service (TEDS) to deliver specialised care and a suite of programs for Tasmanians of all ages experiencing and impacted by an eating disorder.

Funding of $2.5 million is also allocated to progress eating disorder community treatment sites in the North and North West.

The Tasmanian Budget complements our plan to transform the mental health system with $46.3 million allocated over the forward estimates to permanently establish the Acute Care Team, the GP Liaison Clinician, Lived Experience Workforce, as well as implement the new Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy and roll out a new Mental Health Emergency Response service in the North West.

In addition, $6.6 million is allocated to continue the Mental Health Reform program and improve the coordination of services for people with severe and complex mental illness.

Premier and Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Jeremy Rockliff, said that the Government is firmly focused on delivering new contemporary facilities and innovative models of care.

“We know in many cases, when a person is experiencing mental health distress, hospital may not be the most appropriate place for care and treatment,” the Premier said.

“That’s why our investments are targeted at helping to ensure seamless integration between inpatient mental health care services and community-based services.”

To further support our community-based services and enable them to continue the great work they do in our communities, funding has been secured for the following organisations:

  • $8.6 million over two years to support the Salvation Army, City Mission and Pathways Tasmania to deliver 65 residential rehabilitation beds across the State;
  • $1.2 million to boost community mental health services including Rural Alive and Well, Baptcare’s Choices Program and the Butterfly Foundation to help address increasing demand;
  • $930,000 over three years for the Holyoake Gottawanna Program to deliver counselling and support for individuals dealing with addiction;
  • $600,000 over three years for the Salvation Army Street Teams to deliver supports and help to those in need;
  • $110,000 over two years for the Australian Breastfeeding Association – Tasmania Branch to provide support and services;
  • $450,000 over two years for the Mental Health Council of Tasmania to boost the number of lived experience workers across the sector;
  • $925,000 over four years for Flourish, Mental Health Family and Friends and the Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council to support delivery of a new mental health and alcohol and other drugs representative service;
  • $100,000 over two years for Pathway Shed in East Devonport to coordinate services and activities at a grassroots level that promote positive mental health and wellbeing;
  • $50,000 over two years for the Men’s Table organisation - which supports mental health and suicide prevention - to enable expansion across the State; and
  • A Richmond Fellowship Mental Health Homelessness Outreach Program in the North and North West to support people with mental health challenges who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.

Premier and Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Jeremy Rockliff, said that every dollar spent in the mental health and alcohol and other drugs space is carefully targeted to improve outcomes for Tasmanians.

“It is because of our sensible, responsible economic management that allows us to reform the mental health and alcohol and other drugs system and deliver contemporary facilities and care,” Premier Rockliff said.

Our investments prioritise our best-practice approach to building a contemporary, integrated model of mental health and alcohol and other drugs care across the State, so all Tasmanians can get the right support for their needs at the right place and at the right time.