By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
MENTAL health services in the Barwon region are suffering a “perfect storm” of funding uncertainty, reduced services and difficulty coping with the National Disability Insurance Scheme trial.
Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria chief Liz Crowther said alarm bells were ringing for agencies as they lost staff and morale.
“We’re all worried about what’s going to happen. No one knows, because it is tied into the NDIS,” Ms Crowther said.
“We’re unclear about what’s going to go on and who’s going to get in and who’s not. We’re struggling with some of the elements of the NDIS at the moment.”
The concerns follow a national survey of mental health agencies that found 40 per cent had lost staff due to the funding uncertainties.
The Mental Health Australia survey last month also found that 46 per cent had difficulty attracting new staff, 53 per cent had reduced services to clients and 81 per cent reported declining staff morale.
More than half said they were still yet to hear about Commonwealth funding after June 2015. Around 90 per cent would have to reduce staff and services if they failed to receive an answer.
Ms Crowther said some clients would end up missing out on services.
“We don’t know if all the federal funding (for mental health) is going into the NDIS and if all the carer money coming is to go into the NDIS.
“Many families are saying the service isn’t focused to families or carers, so their needs are not particularly well-met.
“Agencies are really worried because staff have to make life choices about their employment.
“The unintended consequences are that, instead of introducing innovative programs, you’re always looking over your shoulder.
“The government believes it gets efficiency but in reality it gets costs because of the turnover of staff.”
