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Statement on the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System

Statement on the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System

By Portal Admin - 8th December 2019 - Back to News

We’ve long known Victoria’s mental health system is broken, but today’s interim report is a sobering analysis of how bad the problem has become.

The interim report calls for transformation changes to start immediately, noting "Victoria’s mental health system is not just compromised – it is afflicted by systemic failings" (p14).

It’s vital the Andrews Government starts work straightaway to fix a system which is letting people down when they are at their most vulnerable.

The Royal Commission is a vital foundation in developing a comprehensive plan to fix the crisis in Victoria’s mental health system, but vulnerable Victorians can’t afford to wait years for the Andrews Labor Government to implement the recommendations made today.

Earlier this year, the Victorian Auditor-General was scathing of the DHHS bureaucracy and the continued refusal to implement recommendations arising from multiple internal and external investigations into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

VAGO found:

"the Royal Commission into Mental Health will undoubtedly highlight many areas for improvement across the system. However, the need for planning and investment to meet demand is already known and as such work to address this should not await the Commission’s recommendations. Further delay will only amplify the problems the Commission seeks to address".

Today’s interim report notes that while the Commission’s work is barely at its halfway point, the problems in Victoria’s mental health system require immediate action.

The message to the Andrews Labor Government is loud and clear – stop cutting budgets and services and start fixing the problems so that vulnerable Victorians can get the help they need, when they need it.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: support@gippsland.com