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As part of the health measures in the latest Federal Budget, occupational therapists and social workers will no longer be included in the Medicare referrals scheme. In a stunning display of irony, the Government have listed this under its 'Better Access to Mental Health' scheme.
In practical terms, this decision will have potentially disastrous effects. Not all mental health problems require the intervention of psychiatrists, or even psychologists. Many people find that therapy with social workers or occupational therapists is far more effective for their particular situations. Under this new scheme, they will no longer be able to claim their therapy under Medicare - and in many cases, this would place such therapy beyond their financial means. They will be left with the choice to either try to qualify for public mental health care (for which they may not qualify, and which is already overstretched) or try to find the money to pay for the care they need. Failing either of these, they would be forced to turn to services which may not be appropriate for them.
With less practitioners available for those who are financially less well-off, the strain on those services which are claimable will be incredible. Access to psychologists and psychiatrists will become much more difficult, as the increasing demand will not be able to be met. For those who are lucky enough to find help through these limited services, they may find that their therapy is not appropriate for their situation, or that they receive less than top-standard care - not because the practitioners are incompetent, but simply because they will be under so much pressure to care for as many clients as possible.
There is a further negative consequence of this decision, in terms of its effect on the community at large. Already we have seen mental health services become less and less accessible, often priced right out of the range of those people most in need. Inpatient centres and even halfway houses have been closed, leaving people suffering from mental illness to fend for themselves. Too many times this results in homelessness, joblessness and deterioration of both mental and physical health. This can only be exacerbated by further restrictions such as are contained in this budget.
The reasons for making these exclusions are, at best, obscure. There was no consultation with professionals working in these allied health areas, and it seems to be no more than a cost-cutting exercise aimed at reducing the budget deficit at the expense of a valuable service. This is short-sighted, and, quite simply, unacceptable.
I would urge all of you to take a moment and sign this online petition to Nicola Roxon, Federal Minister for Health and Ageing. The petition calls for occupational therapists and social workers to be reinstated as part of the 'Better Access to Mental Health' scheme. If you can, add a personal comment.
In practical terms, this decision will have potentially disastrous effects. Not all mental health problems require the intervention of psychiatrists, or even psychologists. Many people find that therapy with social workers or occupational therapists is far more effective for their particular situations. Under this new scheme, they will no longer be able to claim their therapy under Medicare - and in many cases, this would place such therapy beyond their financial means. They will be left with the choice to either try to qualify for public mental health care (for which they may not qualify, and which is already overstretched) or try to find the money to pay for the care they need. Failing either of these, they would be forced to turn to services which may not be appropriate for them.
With less practitioners available for those who are financially less well-off, the strain on those services which are claimable will be incredible. Access to psychologists and psychiatrists will become much more difficult, as the increasing demand will not be able to be met. For those who are lucky enough to find help through these limited services, they may find that their therapy is not appropriate for their situation, or that they receive less than top-standard care - not because the practitioners are incompetent, but simply because they will be under so much pressure to care for as many clients as possible.
There is a further negative consequence of this decision, in terms of its effect on the community at large. Already we have seen mental health services become less and less accessible, often priced right out of the range of those people most in need. Inpatient centres and even halfway houses have been closed, leaving people suffering from mental illness to fend for themselves. Too many times this results in homelessness, joblessness and deterioration of both mental and physical health. This can only be exacerbated by further restrictions such as are contained in this budget.
The reasons for making these exclusions are, at best, obscure. There was no consultation with professionals working in these allied health areas, and it seems to be no more than a cost-cutting exercise aimed at reducing the budget deficit at the expense of a valuable service. This is short-sighted, and, quite simply, unacceptable.
I would urge all of you to take a moment and sign this online petition to Nicola Roxon, Federal Minister for Health and Ageing. The petition calls for occupational therapists and social workers to be reinstated as part of the 'Better Access to Mental Health' scheme. If you can, add a personal comment.
