MENTAL health services in the central west need to be strengthened, according to a recent report released by the Western NSW Local Health District (LHD).
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The Western NSW Health Assessment 2013 indicated that around 11 per cent of adults in the district experienced high psychological distress.
While this figure was similar to the distress levels experienced across the state, the number of people in the district accessing mental health practitioners through Medicare’s Better Access initiative was significantly lower than the NSW average.
Western NSW LHD Director of Mental Health Drug and Alcohol services Dr Russell Roberts said while more community support could be found in rural areas, this competed against a lack of services.
“In rural areas there are strong social connections and less homelessness, however there is also less access to health services and the more remote you go the worse it gets.”
Within the district, residents of the Bathurst region had a Better Access claim rate similar to the NSW average, while Orange and Dubbo were approximately a third lower.
The report indicated that while the difference may be made up for via other services, it was still a marked gap.
Dr Roberts said the district needed better access to the Mental Health Medicare Benefit Schedule (MBS).
“At present there are not enough GPs, psychiatrists and psychologists; this is a real challenge and inequity, it’s not right that people in the city get better access to federal funding for mental health services.”
Following the assessment the Western NSW LHD will be working on continuing and strengthening the current community services.
Dr Roberts said there would be new focus on treating the physical effects linked to mental illness, such as increased substance abuse and the side effects of some medications.
“We’re aiming to co-locate physical and mental health services, make more partnerships with GPs and increase screening and assessment programs.”
“We will also focus on health skills training and health skills behaviour, so people know when they need help and how to get it.”
The findings from the Health Needs Assessment will go into the formation of a Strategic Health Services Plan to provide the framework and direction for Western NSW LHD operations during the next three years.
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