06 September 2011

NSW Government delivers record investment in mental health

The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government 2011-12 Budget has delivered the largest increase in funding for mental health in the State’s history, Minister for Mental Health Kevin Humphries announced today.

Mr Humphries said the NSW Government will spend $1.34 billion on mental health services in 2011-12, an increase of $109 million - or 8.8 per cent - on last year.

“In our first Budget, the NSW Government has delivered more money to mental health than has ever been allocated in the State’s history,” Mr Humphries said.

“Our record investment highlights the NSW Government’s commitment to improving the lives of those who have been touched by mental illness.

“As a result of the funding allocated in this Budget, the NSW Government will greatly improve and expand services and outcomes for consumers, their families and carers across NSW.”

Major recurrent funded initiatives for mental health services in 2011-12 include:

• $6.9 million to continue the phased implementation of services at the new mental health facility at Bloomfield.
• $3.4 million to improve access to specialist child and adolescent mental health services within the community and provide better outreach services to families.
• $2 million in increased funding to Lifeline for telephone and counselling services.
• $800,000 to establish a Mental Health Clinical Academic Research Program aimed at developing potential researchers to increase the capacity for mental health research.
• $800,000 for four additional mental health beds for older people at Calvary Mater Hospital, Newcastle.
• $500,000 to enhance the Schizophrenia Research Chair and program dedicated to discovering ways to prevent and cure schizophrenia.
• $500,000 to enhance emergency mental health responsiveness in rural NSW and pilot service models that facilitate the timely handover of people detained by police under the Mental Health Act into the care of the health system.

The NSW Government has also committed extra funding of $10 million over 4 years for drug and alcohol rehabilitation services and programs to help an extra 5000 people in NSW end their addiction. 

Other key investments in reducing drug and alcohol addiction in 2011-12 include:

• $3.4 million for the NSW Opioid Treatment Program to increase access to treatment and enhance the quality of care provided for people with opioid dependence in NSW.
• $1.6 million to establish involuntary drug and alcohol treatment services to help dependent people withdraw from their drug and alcohol addiction. 

The NSW Government is also investing $85.7 million in mental health capital works infrastructure. New mental health capital works projects in 2011-12 include:

• $83.2 million for Works in Progress, including the Nepean Hospital Stage 3A Redevelopment as well as Mental Health Units at Hornsby, Prince of Wales and Sydney Children’s Hospitals.
• $2 million is included in planning funds for election commitment projects for Mental Health Services at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
• $500,000 towards a Mental Health Carer’s Room at Maitland Hospital.

“I am very pleased to announce the NSW Government has met its key election commitment to provide greater investment in mental health services and drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs,” Mr Humphries said.

“In addition to this, there has also been significant progress on the NSW Government’s commitment to establish a Mental Health Commission, which is the biggest and most important reform in the field of mental health in the State’s history. When established, the Commission will drive a more accountable and efficient mental health system in NSW.

“The NSW Government is committed to implementing world-best practice standards for mental health delivery and outcomes in NSW. Through this funding increase and our commitment to establishing the Commission we are well on our way to achieving this,” Mr Humphries said.