AMA calls for better mental health care
The Australian Medical Association supports calls by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) for mental health services to be given higher priority in Australia.
Chair of the AMA's Public Health Committee, Dr Bill Pring, said today the Australian community must provide better care for people affected by mental illness.
"We need to recognise and support the different levels of care delivered by psychiatrists and other medical specialists to people in need of mental health services.
"To achieve this, we need a community and health care system that can provide mental health services at the same high standard of resourcing and quality as other health care services.
"The AMA joins with the RANZCP and a national coalition of community organisations in calling for a national inquiry into services for mentally ill people," Dr Pring said.
Dr Pring said that to deliver well-balanced and adequately supported mental health services to our communities, the AMA recommends:
1. Access to comprehensive, acute assessment and treatment
2. Community-based services for people living with mental illness, and their families (involving supported accommodation and rehabilitation programs); and
3. Community support for people living with a mental illness, and their families.
"The provision of care extends beyond adding beds for psychiatric patients in public hospitals and the re-institutionalising of patients," Dr Pring said.
"Mental illness affects 2.4 million Australians each year, and yet we have a health care system that is currently not meeting patient demands. We have a responsibility to respond to the increasing demand on Australia's mental health care services.
"If the medical profession, government and the general community work together, we will provide a better quality of life for Australians affected by mental illness," Dr Pring said.
CONTACT: Dr Bill Pring (0418) 109 858
Sarah Crichton (02) 6270 5472 / (0419) 440 076