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Help for Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists to boost psychiatry workforce pledged for election by Victorian Liberal and Nationals

More than 200,000 additional psychiatry appointments will be available every year under a Liberal and Nationals plan to better-support Victorians' mental health.

By news@gippsland - 24th November 2022 - Back to News

Part of the Liberal and Nationals Mental Health Workforce Strategy, the funding will allow the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) to boost Victoria's psychiatry workforce and begin to address Victoria's growing mental health crisis with 168 new trainee positions. This includes 120 new trainee psychiatry positions and 48 additional child and adolescent psychiatry training positions in Victoria's health system.

Shadow Minister for Mental Health Emma Kealy had announced a Mental Health Workforce Strategy which could see up to 200,000 more Victorians able to access timely mental health support every year

Result of Labor's failed funding

Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Emma Kealy, said the RANZCP and Victorians needing mental health support had been let down by the Labor government. "The Andrews Labor government failed to fund new psychiatry positions during the pandemic, despite calls from peak bodies."

"This has cost struggling Victorians more than 65,000 hours of mental health support every single year of the pandemic. And despite the continued calls, Labor still has no plan to rebuild Victoria's mental health workforce." Ms Kealy said.

Better mental health system

The Liberals and Nationals' Mental Health Workforce Strategy will deliver more support to more Victorians. Under the strategy, an additional 2 million mental health appointments will be available every year and an additional 2000 mental health practitioners will be unlocked to deliver mental health support in our schools.

"This is a key investment needed to rebuild Victoria's mental health system, and help more Victorians access mental health support when they need it, not when they get to the top of a waitlist."

"And only an elected Liberal and Nationals government will fund more psychiatry and psychology positions, because we know that it's a strong workforce that will ensure Victorians have the mental health support they need." Ms Kealy said.

Pictures from Your Health in Mind Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Two Gippsland Landcare champions have won 2026 Victorian Landcare Awards, with Moogji Aboriginal Council and Kate Mirams and Peter Neaves recognised for environmental stewardship, collaboration and sustainable agriculture.
• Baw Baw Shire Council Pop-Up Playgroups wins Victorian early years award for promoting children’s health, wellbeing and community connections
  Baw Baw Shire Council’s Pop-Up Playgroups has won a 2026 Victorian Early Years Award, recognising its inclusive approach to supporting children’s wellbeing and connecting local families through play.
• Melina Bath condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, with Victoria recording nearly twice New South Wales' victims
  Melina Bath has condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, citing Victoria's high theft rate and major increases across eastern Victoria, while calling for more police, stronger bail laws and tougher sentencing.
• East Gippsland Landcare Groups recognised at Victorian Awards celebrating 40 Years of environmental stewardship and community conservation efforts
  East Gippsland Landcare groups Moogji Aboriginal Council and FEVL received the First Nations Landcare Collaboration Award, while Romawi Landcare was highly commended for innovation and its ongoing conservation efforts.
• Latrobe City Positive Ageing Festival returns with more than 100 events celebrating connection, activity and older residents this October
  Latrobe City’s Positive Ageing Festival returns in October with more than 100 free and low-cost events supporting older residents through connection, activity, learning and community participation.
• Darren Chester congratulates Maffra student Jaxon Marshall on National Youth Parliament selection representing Gippsland in Canberra
  Maffra Secondary College student Jaxon Marshall will represent Gippsland at the 2026 National Youth Parliament, earning praise from Darren Chester for bringing regional and agricultural perspectives to Canberra.
• Melina Bath says boating licence revenue should fund ramps, parking, dredging and safety, supporting Victorian boating and fishing communities
  Victoria’s Liberals and Nationals have pledged to protect the Better Boating Fund, which delivered $130 million in four years, supporting boating facilities, waterway safety, recreational fishing and regional jobs.
• Marlo named sole East Gippsland finalist in Victorian Top Tiny Tourism Town Awards, celebrating community spirit
  Marlo was East Gippsland’s sole finalist in the Victorian Top Tiny Tourism Town Awards, recognised for its authentic visitor experiences and strong community-driven tourism campaign.