MEDICUS MARCH 2016

C O V E R S T O R Y

Dr Martin Chapman AMA (WA) Psychiatry Representative

I n 2016, we still have emergency departments overflowing with mental health and drug-related presentations. Patients are turned away from mental health units because beds are full – sometimes with tragic consequences. Primary care providers struggle with minimal support or help. How can this be happening? There is a vast array of Commonwealth, State, private and NGO services operating. Despite this, members including ED Physicians, GPs and Psychiatrists struggle daily to find services for patients. Services themselves are not aware of other providers. It is no wonder that patients and carers report being stranded and lost in the system. The lack of coordination and collaboration is perplexing. Rather than having a system, we have been left with a mental health maze. Successive restructures have seemingly made little impact on

the system complexity and lack of coordination. In this light, the new arrangements for WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) have left some concerned or sceptical. It is time to go back to the drawing board. Ideally, one would review all of the current resources and services – and based on that, reorganise and redeploy services to give the best outcome for patients and carers. There is some optimism. The new arrangements see the Mental Health Commission (State) and WAPHA (Federal) actually collaborating on a review and delivery of mental health services. To have a clear view of the services delivered in WA across all sectors is crucial. The Mental Health Atlas Project could deliver some much-needed clarity and offer a clear platform for real planning. The second stage will rely on the sector coming together and working collaboratively. Silos exist in all

It is time to go back to the

drawing board. Ideally, one would review all of the current resources and services – and based on that, reorganise and redeploy services to give

the best outcome for patients and carers

large organisations and establishing communication will be critical. This will be the real litmus test and will rely on leadership from both the Mental Health Commission and WAPHA. Time will tell. ■ Dr Martin Chapman has been invited to participate in WAPHA’s Mental Health Expert Advisory Group (EAG).

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