2009 Budget on Mental Health Services

• Changes to the MBS measures relating to GPs preparing a mental health plan - GPs will have to have undertaken level one training to gain the full MBS rebate of $150 and each mental health plan will have to include some form of diagnosis.
• Psychologists will have to undertake continuing professional development in order to maintain their eligibility for MBS rebates.
• $6.7 million for rural mental health services and $5.2 million for drought affected areas and $7.5 million for additional bushfire communities psychological support.
• There are some very minor cuts to some discretionary funding previously available to DoHA that amount to $5 million in savings per year.

Other broader health measures which will have a positive flow on to people with a mental illness include:

• For the first time the government is providing MBS access for nurse practitioners (including mental health nurse practitioners). This is clearly a breakthrough initiative.
• Major new investments in health research, infrastructure, rural health (including a new rural/remote classification system and increase incentives), workforce development including a new national centre.
• New investment in closing the gap, particularly targeting rural Aboriginal communities.
• Funding to reduce pressure on emergency departments and to provide sub acute services particularly for older people.
• $872 million for prevention (previously announced).

Report provided by the Mental Health Council of Australia