National approach to private healthcare urgently needed

Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer, has called for a national approach to urgently address the failing viability of privately-run mental health facilities across the country.

The Minister has written to the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing requesting an urgent meeting to discuss potential immediate and longer term solutions, including increasing the Medicare rebate for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, and a national plan to address the psychiatrist workforce shortage.

Minister Archer said if Labor are genuine in wanting to support private health facilities like the Hobart Clinic, they need to join us and call on their federal colleagues to act.

“The closure of the Hobart Clinic’s inpatient facility is disappointing and another sad example of the failing viability of privately-run health facilities across the country, which is the responsibility of the Federal Government,” Minister Archer said.

“Other states and territories are facing the same challenges, particularly when it comes to mental health services, and it is very clear this is an ongoing national issue.

“The Hobart Clinic has acknowledged that even with renewed State intervention, their business model was not sustainable - and every dollar spent on a private provider is one less dollar we can spend in the public system where it’s most needed, to support patients with higher-acuity needs.

“It is politically easy to always call on the State to fix everything - but all this does is allow the Federal Government to continue to neglect their responsibilities, which we are already seeing with bed block, aged care and NDIS placements, and access to primary care.

“The Federal Government controls the levers that affect private hospital sustainability, primarily private insurance premiums, and they are the only ones who can fix it, which has also been noted recently by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.

“Urgent action is needed so people can receive care in their communities before reaching crisis point and presenting to emergency departments - settings ill-suited for those in mental distress.”

The Minister called on the State Opposition, relevant unions, and also Tasmanian Federal Members of Parliament, to join the Tasmanian Government in standing up for Tasmania.

“I would also note that former Tasmanian Labor leader, Rebecca White, is now the Federal Assistant Minister for Health, meaning she has the ear of the Health Minister who can fix these issues - has Mr Willie even once bothered to pick up the phone, and advocate for Tasmania to Ms White?"​