The Department of Health has released a new national plan charting the way ahead in mental health, primary care, hospitals, preventive health and medical research.
It is the first time mental health has been rated alongside physical health.
Announcing the plan, Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said it included the 2030 mental health vision; a new strategy specifically for children under 12 years; a 10-year Primary Health Care Plan; and the continued improvement of private health insurance.
Mr Hunt said it also included the 10-year National Preventive Health Strategy and the 10-year Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) investment plan.
“To help inform the plan, the Government is commissioning a multi-year study of more than 60,000 Australians to provide the most complete picture ever of our physical and mental health,” Mr Hunt said.
“The Intergenerational Health and Mental Health Study will cover mental health, general health, nutrition and physical activity.”
He said the new Children’s Mental Health Strategy would focus on the 0-to-12 age group and was aimed at maintaining mental wellbeing and preventing mental ill health.
He said it would improve delivery of support for early childhood, parenting and early education.
“The Government will establish a ‘towards zero’ suicide target and culture through a whole-of-Government approach driven by Australia’s first National Suicide Prevention Adviser, Christine Morgan,” Mr Hunt said.
Another key reform was support for GPs to provide more flexible care for patients over 70 with chronic and complex conditions, through a new patient enrolment payment model.
“We will develop genomics testing as the new standard of care,” Mr Hunt said.
“Genomics will transform prevention, prediction, diagnosis and treatment by providing precision medical care, targeting the unique genetic makeup of individuals,” Mr Hunt said.
“We have begun the next wave of private health insurance reforms. We are working collaboratively with insurers, hospitals and doctors to deliver a better outcome for consumers.”
He said the National Preventive Health Strategy would include an Indigenous Preventive Health Plan.
“Under this plan, targets for improved health outcomes include: Ending avoidable blindness and deafness by 2025; eradicating rheumatic heart disease by 2030; and a 10 per cent annual increase in the number of people having at least one health check a year.”
The new 22-page Long Term National Health Plan can be accessed at this PS News link.
