Federal Health Minister Mark Butler faces an uprising from mental health professionals. They want his government to resume “life-saving” cheap psychology sessions.
Key Point:
- Health professionals warn psychology clients are skipping sessions or considering discontinuing care following government cuts
- The federal government last month halved the number of cheap psychology sessions available to people
- Health experts warn cuts will lead to more people needing acute care
Several groups representing psychologists, emergency services workers, and allied health professionals have written to Mark Butler asking for additional mental health support to be reinstated or for patients already overexerted from the practice of psychology. I’m asking you to risk spilling to the emergency department of the load.
In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Morrison government announced a $100 million commitment to double the number of Medicare-funded mental health sessions available to patients from 10 to 20 each year. bottom.
Late last year, the new Labor government announced the return of the so-called ‘Better Access Initiative’ to 10 subsidized sessions. An independent report by the University of Melbourne found that the program is not equally accessible to all Australians. It lacked socio-economic background and region.
However, the report also notes that, overall, “evidence from the evaluation suggests that an additional 10 sessions should continue to be available and targeted to people with more complex mental health needs. .”
Letter warns of cuts, puts patients at risk of harm
In a letter to the minister, groups including the Australian Psychological Association, the Rural Health Alliance, the Victoria Ambulance Union and the Australian Federal Police Association said the decision “put patients at risk of harm or preventable loss of life”. , claiming that it is “a threat to patients.” Safety of emergency services personnel and health workers to deal with the increase in mental health admissions. ”
“The government’s decision to halve this program will reduce the quantity and quality of mental health care available to tens of thousands of Australians, leaving patients who are undertreated or no longer receiving psychology It would create a serious risk of overflowing from practice and already pushing the limits of GP clinics and emergency departments,” the letter said.
Catriona Davis McCabe, President of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), said it was essential to restart the programme.
“Retiring this service entirely would be a really dangerous experiment, especially if nothing has been replaced,” she said.
“We’re only a few weeks into the new year and patients and psychologists are already saying they don’t know what to do.
“They are distributing treatment. We are also talking about stopping treatment altogether.”
Minister defends decision, calls scheme unfair
Since its inception, additional Medicare-funded psychological sessions have been controversial, criticized for being tailored to those who can afford copays or live in areas where psychologists are available. I’m here.
There are often consistent requests for more funding, often targeted at what are referred to as “missing middlemen.” People who are often unwell to be treated by primary health care providers such as general practitioners, but are not considered ill enough to be admitted to a mental health unit.
Butler defended the decision to cut back on additional mental health sessions this week, arguing the system wasn’t designed for people with more complex needs, citing it as “missing the middle.” I put it out.
“People in areas with the most acute needs, the highest levels of emotional distress, receive far fewer services than other parts of their communities,” he said Monday.
“The level of access, especially the level of equity, was exacerbated by the additional 10 sessions.
“Obviously, those who had access to these 10 additional sessions appreciated them and benefitted from them. ”
Dr. Davis-McCabe said, however, that slashing subsidized psychology sessions won’t help people who are already missing out on support.
“We recognize that Better Access needs improvement in some areas, especially when we’re talking about missing the middle,” she said.
“But the answer to that is not to serve everyone.
“What we have to do is address the psychological workforce. continue. [groups] This is absolutely unacceptable as your zip code will never determine your mental health. ”
On Monday, the Health Minister will hold a roundtable with mental health professionals to assess the recommendations of the University of Melbourne report and consider equitable access for vulnerable and marginalized Australians.
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