By ANEEKA SIMONIS
IMPROVEMENTS to personalised care and residential rehabilitation services for youth are set to improve in the Yarra Ranges as the State Coalition Government rolls out changes to local healthcare delivery.
As part of the government’s $74 million investment in mental health, three providers in the outer eastern suburbs will share in the funding to improve client access to suitable care.
Minister for Mental Health Mary Wooldridge said mental health providers EACH, Neami and the Uniting Church received the state funding at the start of last month and are actively working on improving their care programs.
“These changes have been made so that our mental health system better enables adults and young people with mental illness to live independently, maintain the best possible social and emotional well-being and live satisfying lives in the community, regardless of where they live,” Ms Wooldridge said.
EACH CEO Peter Ruzyla said the mental health reform provided more choice for people in east regional areas.
“In the past, EACH was almost the only provider of psychiatric care in the upper east. Now the area is serviced by two organisations, EACH and Neami which introduces more choice.
“We also now have the opportunity to revisit individual preferences across the range,” Mr Ruzyla said of the funding’s capability to provide tailored support.
EACH put together a submission to improve residential rehabilitation services for young people which was welcomed by the recommissioning of funds.
“We have a strong focus on maintaining engagement with families and the community whereas the tendency in the past was to provide rehabilitation services isolated from the general community.
“The way we see it, rehabilitation should be a safe place to live while you are getting your therapy, strength and skills back to live independently,” Mr Ruzyla said.
Minister Wooldridge said since coming into government, Coalition funding for the mental health sector had increased by 30 per cent and would continue to address community needs.
“Mental health services, families, carers and people with a mental illness have been calling for a change in community health services.
“These reforms will deliver improved access, increase quality of service and provide greater flexibility for clients across Victoria,” she said.
