Federal Government being blamed for cuts forcing closure of 44 mental health respite beds and risking 110 jobs in South Australia

FORTY-FOUR mental health respite beds are closing and almost 110 jobs are at risk as federal funding runs out at the end of the financial year.

Aged Patient in hospital bed

FORTY-FOUR mental health respite beds are closing and almost 110 jobs are at risk as federal funding runs out at the end of the financial year.

The State Government has blamed the Federal Government for failing to sign a new deal to fund the beds, which include four services run by SA Health and one by private provider Neami which had services at Prospect, Port Adelaide and Pooraka.

The private provider is closing 24 beds and will have to put off 25 staff, health officials have confirmed.

In addition, SA Health will close 10 beds at Whyalla and 10 at Mt Gambier, affecting almost 40 staff.

Minister for Mental Health Leesa Vlahos said the Government can no longer afford to absorb the federal cuts.

Also at risk are services at Salisbury with eight staff, after hours acute services across the metropolitan area with 14 staff and 10 forensic beds at Oakden with 20 staff.

Ms Vlahos hopes these can still continue to operate but is trying to find about $8 million for the three services.