Recommendation 1
6.9 The
committee recommends the development of a national rural and remote mental
health strategy which seeks to address the low rates of access to services,
workforce shortage, the high rate of suicide, cultural realities, language
barriers and the social determinants of mental health in rural and remote
communities.
Recommendation 2
6.10 The
committee recommends that the national rural and remote mental health strategy
is subject to an implementation and monitoring framework which includes regular
reporting to government and that these reports are tabled in Parliament.
Recommendation 3
6.17 The
committee recommends an overarching approach is taken by all parties to
guarantee that the design of mental health and wellbeing services starts with
local community input to ensure that all rural and remote mental health
services meet the measure of 'the right care in the right place at the right
time'. This needs to be informed by best practice and international knowledge.
Recommendation 4
6.22 The
committee recommends that the National Disability Insurance Agency ensure that
the implementation of the psychosocial disability stream takes into account the
issues facing rural and remote communities, including barriers to accessing
mental health services and the lack of knowledge and experience in both
psychosocial disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Recommendation 5
6.27 The
committee recommends that Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments should
develop longer minimum contract lengths for commissioned mental health services
in regional, rural and remote locations.
Recommendation 6
6.29 The
committee recommends that Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments should
develop policies to allow mental health service contracts to be extended where
a service provider can demonstrate the efficacy and suitability of the services
provided, and a genuine connection to the local community.
Recommendation 7
6.34 The
committee recommends that Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments
consider the reestablishment of block funding for mental health services and
service providers in regional, rural, and remote areas.
Recommendation 8
6.37 The
committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government review the role of
Primary Health Networks in commissioning mental health services under the
stepped care model to ensure effective and appropriate service delivery in
regional, rural and remote areas.
Recommendation 9
6.42 The
committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government consider pathways for
allied health professionals and nurses in rural and remote Australia to refer
patients under the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General
Practitioners through the MBS (Better Access) initiative.
Recommendation 10
6.45 The
committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government prioritise the
development of implementation and evaluation plans for the National
Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' Mental
Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing 2017–2023.
Recommendation 11
6.51 The
committee recommends the Commonwealth Government implement measures to ensure
that services commissioned by Primary Health Networks embody the action plans
of the National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Peoples' Mental Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing 2017–2023 and
are delivered by, or in genuine long-term partnerships with, Aboriginal
Community Controlled Health Services and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander community organisations.
Recommendation 12
6.52 The
committee recommends that all Primary Health Networks have an Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander member on their board.
Recommendation 13
6.57 The
committee recommends the Commonwealth Minister for Health work with health
professional colleges to develop strategies for the immediate improvement of
professional supports and clinical supervision for registered health
practitioners working in rural and remote locations.
Recommendation 14
6.63 The
committee recommends that all mental health service providers, including
government and community sector, ensure their workforces are culturally
competent and that such training be endorsed by and delivered in partnership
with the communities into which they are embedded.
Recommendation 15
6.66 The
committee recommends that all providers of fly-in, fly-out mental health
services ensure that mental health professionals are supported by long-term
investment to enable them to provide reliable and regular support services to
rural and remote communities, with consistency of personnel an essential
requirement for any service provider.
Recommendation 16
6.69 The
committee recommends that peer support workers be given appropriate training to
enable them to continue their role in helping people experiencing mental health
issues. The committee further considers that peer support workers should be
recognised as a valuable support service by being paid to perform this role in
rural and remote communities.
Recommendation 17
6.77 The
committee recommends that Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments, as
well as mental health service providers and local communities, continue to
educate rural and remote communities about mental health and advertise local
and digitally-available support services, with a view to reducing the
associated stigma.
Recommendation 18
6.78 The
committee recommends that Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments work
with mental health service providers and local communities to co-design
appropriate educational materials to reduce the stigma surrounding mental
health in rural and remote communities.
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