Monday, May 10, 2004

GPs called on to treat mental health patients (New Zealand)
Christchurch Star story - "Christchurch GPs are being used in a pilot scheme to treat the mentally ill in a bid cut down on the amount of time specialists spend with patients. The scheme has been met with support by some in the medical profession, but others are urging caution and are worried it could simply be a cheaper way of treating mental patients. The scheme involves five general practices in the city involved in assessing, treating and discharging the mentally ill into the community. Four pilots started last August, with a combined budget of $150,000. They will report back next year. Mental health director Vince Barry said the Canterbury District Health Board needed to find ways to re-distribute mental health funds more efficiently. Early feed-back had shown at least one pilot was working extremely well, he said..."  
  

Mental health access dips despite more funds (New Zealand)
New Zealand Herald story - " Access to treatment for serious mental illnesses has grown slightly worse, despite more Government spending and plans for expansion. The Mental Health Commission found that in the six months to last June, 1.6 per cent of the population was seen by specialist mental health services. This was down from the 1.7 per cent seen in the first half of 2002 and the same as the 2001 figure. Based on British research, it is estimated that 3 per cent of New Zealanders have a severe mental illness. The Government's mental health blueprint assumes this part of the population will need treatment by specialist services in any six-month period..."