Australia Govt eyes primary health care takeover

April 15, 2010

Govt eyes primary health care takeover

April 16, 2010 - 6:34AM AAP

The federal government is prepared to take on complete funding of the nation's

primary care services in a move that health professionals say could transform

the mental health system.

Speaking on ABC's Lateline on Thursday, Health Minister Nicola Roxon said the

federal government was prepared to take on 100 per cent of primary care services

as part of the health reform package to be discussed at Monday's Council of

Australian Governments (COAG) meeting.

" There is a very significant component that does affect mental health and that's

our proposal to take on 100 per cent of primary care services, " Ms Roxon said.

" We want to be able to be fully responsible for community mental health.

" We think that people are falling between gaps that are either privately

Medicare-funded and funded by the Commonwealth or run by the states and

territories.

" We want to be able to have an agreement with the states and territories so we

know what platform we are dealing in and that will be on the table Monday. "

Professor Ian Hickie, of University of Sydney's Brain and Mind Research

Institute said such a move could lead to the biggest reform of mental health the

country has ever seen.

" If the federal government goes ahead with that commitment, then we have a

national health program. Then we will have national health reform, " Mr Hickie

said.

He estimated that the costs of taking 100 per cent of community mental health

from the states would cost about $250 million a year.

If that were to happen, there would be a " real chance " that mental health reform

will go ahead.

Mr Hardie said he believed the state premiers will take up the opportunity.

" I think (NSW Premier) a Keneally and (West Australian Premier) Colin

Barnett and even (n Premier) Brumby will be very interested in the

funding number that goes with that reform. "

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