MENTAL
HEALTH
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Improving the mental health of
all residents living in South Western Sydney is a priority of the National and State
Governments and the Area Health Board. Achieving this goal will be dependent upon
achieving equity in the allocation of mental health resources in NSW.
As
documented in the Report of the National Inquiry into the Human Rights of People with
Mental Illness, significant improvement needs to occur in the development of
community-based care across a wide spectrum of services. Links with the private sector and
non-government organisations need to be strengthened.
This
strategic plan presents strategies to improve the services and facilities which are linked
to the goals and targets set by the NSW Health Department. It is based on the issues which
have been raised by consumers, carers, staff and other service providers through a
consultative process. It documents the outcomes, required resources, responsibilities and
implementation timeframe for each of the strategies.
Full
implementation of this plan will be dependent on the allocation of financial resources to
South Western Sydney under the principles of equity and fairness presented in the NSW
Government?s Health Economic Statement.
In
addition to the funding of current outflows of SWS residents to other Areas for inpatient
services, approximately $16 million per year should become available for the development
of new services and the enhancement of existing services.
Provision
of additional capital funding for the development of facilities will also be required. The
development of new services and facilities will be planned in conjunction with consumers,
their carers and related service providers.
Significant
improvements in equity of access and quality of services will occur for people with mental
disorders and their carers through the implementation of this plan.
PROPOSED SERVICE AND FACILITY DEVELOPMENT
1997 - 2001/1
Back to Plans