Hub model of mental healthcare delivering integration and improved outcomes
Aug 09, 2024
May 20, 2024
The 2024-25 Federal Budget was delivered by Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Tuesday 14 May, with $10.7 billion of new investments announced across health and aged care portfolios.
Key pillars of the government's plan for the sector over the next 12 months includes expanding the number and capacity of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, introducing Medicare Mental Health Centres and improving access and support for women’s health. Continuing reforms to the aged care sector and freezing the cost of PBS medicines are also central to the budget’s plan.
At the most local level, Brisbane North PHN was pleased to secure funding from both the Commonwealth and state governments to continue to provide our four Safe Spaces across north Brisbane and Moreton Bay until our region’s Medicare Mental Health Centres are commissioned.
Safe Spaces have and will continue to provide accessible and inclusive crisis support in a safe, welcoming environment and successfully fill a gap in the system, providing an effective alternative to emergency departments and hospitals for people experiencing emotional distress.
The national network of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs) will be expanded to a total of 87 (increase of 29 clinics).
Medicare UCCs are bulk billed and can treat minor or non-life-threatening injuries, illnesses and conditions that require same day assessment or treatment but are not an emergency and are designed to take pressure off hospital emergency departments. Two Medicare UCCs currently operate in the North Brisbane and Moreton Bay region.
A digital service to ensure people can access support before their distress escalates to needing higher intensity services like a mental health treatment plan, acute in-patient service or crisis line.
Previously known as Head to Health Centres, Medicare Mental Health Centres will offer free, walk-in access to mental health care professionals for adults with more complex mental health needs. These services will have their clinical capability upgraded to ensure each centre has psychiatrists, psychologists and GPs on call.
Medicare Mental Health Centre locations in the North Brisbane and Moreton Bay regions will be advised in due course.
Resourcing to bring on mental health nurses and other allied health supports to provide free care coordination and support to patients with complex needs, in between GP and specialist appointments.
To help mobilise, professionalise and unlock the potential of this critical workforce.
Investment in aged care aims to strengthen the quality of services and improve wait times while bolstering the sector’s workforce. This includes but is not limited to:
More than $160 million of funding is dedicated to improving access to and tailoring the health and care needs of women.
$49.1m for women and those assigned female at birth with gynaecological conditions like endometriosis to access two new Medicare rebates for extended gynaecology consultations of 45 minutes or longer.
These longer consultations are aimed at helping women who often don’t receive timely and appropriate assessments and are left waiting longer for the diagnosis and treatment for painful and debilitating conditions like endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome.
Other measures include:
Up to $3 billion of investment is being directed towards strengthening the pharmacy sector and making medicines cheaper for patients. Key measures under this commitment include:
Brisbane North PHN will continue to provide updates on how the 2024-25 Budget’s measures impact stakeholders and community in the Brisbane and Moreton Bay region. Stay connected for more information.
Read the Department of Health and Aged Care's Budget summary.
Read the Strengthening Medicare summary.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians within our region: the Jagera, Turrbal, Gubbi Gubbi, Waka Waka and the Ningy Ningy peoples of where we meet, work and learn. Brisbane North PHN is committed to reconciliation. Our vision for reconciliation is where the stories of our First Nations’ people are heard and shared, and networks are formed.