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Reinstate allied health professions to Better Access to Mental Health
Published by Danielle on May 14, 2010
Closed on May 19, 2010
Closed on May 19, 2010
| 3790 Signatures |
Target: Hon Nicola Roxon - Minister for Health and Aging
Region: Australia
Result:
This petition was able to achieve a deferment of the decision regarding the role of occupational therapists and social workers in the Better Access to Mental Health scheme. They will now be free to continue offering their services until April 201e1, when a review of the scheme will be completed. Thanks to everyone who signed and supported this campaign.
Background (Preamble):
Occupational therapists and social workers will be excluded from accepting referrals under the Better Access to Mental Health scheme from 01/07/2010.
This decision has been taken as part of the Federal Governments establishment of the National Health and Hospitals Network, announced in the Budget presented on 11/05/2010. The government undertook no consultation with professionals or the community on this decision, and the rationale behind it is unclear.
The impact of this decision is far reaching. People with mental health problems will not be able to claim back any rebate when seeing OT's and Social Workers, placing these services beyond the financial reach of most. They will also have less access to services, and less choice in who they see. Therefore, people experiencing these issues will not get the help they need and will turn to public mental health services for which they are ineligible. The community as a whole will be required more and more to care for people who have not had access to quality and timely mental health interventions.
Besides these devastating consequences for the community, many OT's and SW who set up small businesses to provide these services will go out of business.
This decision has been taken as part of the Federal Governments establishment of the National Health and Hospitals Network, announced in the Budget presented on 11/05/2010. The government undertook no consultation with professionals or the community on this decision, and the rationale behind it is unclear.
The impact of this decision is far reaching. People with mental health problems will not be able to claim back any rebate when seeing OT's and Social Workers, placing these services beyond the financial reach of most. They will also have less access to services, and less choice in who they see. Therefore, people experiencing these issues will not get the help they need and will turn to public mental health services for which they are ineligible. The community as a whole will be required more and more to care for people who have not had access to quality and timely mental health interventions.
Besides these devastating consequences for the community, many OT's and SW who set up small businesses to provide these services will go out of business.
Petition:
We, the undersigned, call on Hon Nicola Roxon (Minister for Health and Aging) to reinstate occupational therapists and social workers to practice under the Better Access to Mental Health Scheme.
The Reinstate allied health professions to Better Access to Mental Health petition to Hon Nicola Roxon - Minister for Health and Aging was written by Danielle and is in the category Health at GoPetition. Contact author here. Petition tags: health professions, mental health
