Tuesday 9 May 2006

BETTER ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR VETERAN AND DEFENCE FORCE COMMUNITIES

The Australian Government will improve access to mental health needs of the veteran and defence force communities with an extra $20 million over four years allocated in the 2006-07 veterans’ affairs budget.

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Bruce Billson, said the Government had allocated a total of $4.6 billion in the 2006-07 veterans’ affairs budget for health care for the veteran and defence force communities.

“This funding covers hospital and medical care, aged care services, rehabilitation programs, counselling and other services,” he said.

“In recent years, our focus has been on programs and services that help to keep ageing veterans in their homes. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs is also turning its attention to a new generation of veterans – serving members of the Australian Defence Force, those who have recently left the services and peacekeepers and peacemakers from other agencies.

“These younger men and women returning from active service have very different needs and we are committed to meeting them, while maintaining and improving services to our older veterans.

“With so many young Australians being deployed to places like Iraq, Afghanistan, East Timor and the Solomon Islands it is important that we focus not only on their physical well being, but also their mental health.

“The Departments of Defence and Veterans’ Affairs have been working together to identify improvements to the way we approach mental health care for both current and ex-service personnel.

“This Budget commits an extra $20 million to strengthening assessment and treatment, including improved access to a wider range of mental health care services. These include an increased focus on preventive measures and self-help arrangements within communities.

“Our emphasis is on early identification and treatment, as well as rehabilitation and recovery,” he said.

“There will also be a focus on supporting families. Having a family member with a mental illness can place extra stresses on family relationships.”

Mr Billson said $24.4 million over four years had been allocated for community nursing services, ensuring the veteran community continued to have access to services that supported their independence at home and avoided untimely admissions to hospital or residential care facilities.

“In recent years this Government has worked closely with a wide range of health providers, including general practitioners, dentists and allied health providers, resulting in increased payments to those providing quality care to members of the veteran community. Community nursing providers are the latest to benefit from this partnering approach, with an increase in fees payable from 1 October 2006.

“This Budget demonstrates the Australian Government’s continued commitment to those who serve our nation in wars, conflicts and peace operations by providing access to quality health services,” he said.

Media inquiries: Shane Fairlie 0408 680 442