MEDICUS MARCH 2016

C O V E R S T O R Y

Timothy Marney WA Mental Health Commissioner

A lthough still at an early to developing our partnership with WAPHA to enhance the integrated delivery of mental health, alcohol and drug services across the State. For us, this represents a natural alliance as we both move to establish a comprehensive and joined up system of individual-focused care, prioritising prevention, early intervention and community-based service delivery. Working more closely to align and co-commission Commonwealth and State services offers us the opportunity to achieve a more efficient and effective system of services, reducing overlaps and addressing service gaps. However, the most important beneficiaries will be people who need easier and earlier access to quality primary care services to keep them well and out of hospital. As identified in our future planning, effective primary care services are a vital component of a balanced service delivery system that best meets the needs of individuals. Our recently released Western Australian Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Services Plan 2015-2025 identifies a system that is currently too heavily weighted towards costly, acute care. It highlights the need to, as a priority, boost community-based services – not at the expense of hospital-based services, but to help relieve pressure on those services and stage, the Mental Health Commission looks forward

implement the changes. Our work with WAPHA is an important first step in cementing a true person- centred service approach. The Mental Health Atlas Project promises to give us a comprehensive state-wide picture of all current mental health, alcohol and other drug services, including those provided by non-state government organisations. As well as providing transparency for funders, this will allow us to identify gaps, and overlaps, in service provision. It will also enable the development of a comprehensive service directory to help clinicians, consumers, families and carers to more easily navigate the system and connect with local services. As we move into the implementation phase of our reform process, we look forward to a maturing partnership with our primary service sector partners, resulting in the better outcomes for all Western Australians. ■ It (the Plan) highlights the need to, as a priority, boost community-based services – not at the expense of hospital-based services, but to help relieve pressure on those services and allow them to better serve those at the acute end of the spectrum

allow them to better serve those at the acute end of the spectrum. The undersupply and underutilisation of primary care services is a significant contributor to this sub-optimal service mix and results in deteriorating access to appropriate services and higher system costs. Building capacity in the GP/primary care sector to better equip those providers to deal with mild/ moderate mental health and alcohol and other drug problems will help to ease pressure on other parts of the system. Effective primary care services have the capacity to prevent and reduce the severity of mental health, alcohol and other drug problems through early identification, treatment, support and timely referral. For example, there is strong evidence that General Practitioners can provide effective treatment and reduce risks for people with mild to moderate alcohol and other drug problems (including reducing the use of alcohol use during pregnancy). Primary care can also work together with community treatment services to optimise and provide continuity of care for individuals with mental health, alcohol and other drug problems, as they step up to and down from secondary and tertiary services. These frontline services, however, are just one part of the mix. Our State’s Plan outlines a comprehensive suite of strategies, and flags the requirement for partnerships with private and non-government organisations and all levels of government to fund and

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