South-East residents to lose 10 mental health beds, unless funded in the State Budget
THE Opposition has made a last-minute plea for 10 mental health beds in Mount Gambier to be funded in Thursday’s State Budget.
- Federal funding blamed for cuts to 44 mental health respite beds, jobs
- State Budget 2016: Rubbish dump taxes to rise, ratepayers to feel hit
THE Opposition has made a last-minute plea for 10 mental health beds in Mount Gambier to be funded in Thursday’s State Budget.
The respite beds closed last week as a result of Federal Government funding cuts, leaving South-East residents without a vital service for mental health suffers.
Mount Gambier MP Troy Bell told Parliament the beds were badly needed in the community, especially as the region was dealing with a dairy-crisis.
“This is coming at a huge cost to the community and not only are the 10 respite beds being taken away it impacts up to 15 staff,” Mr Bell said.
“This is a retrograde step which will put more pressure on our acute mental health facilities at the hospital.
“Acute care will be inundated by cases, which could have been prevented or minimalised at an earlier stage through these respite beds.”
Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis last month found $8.5 million over four years to fund 10 beds in Whyalla and Oakden, which had faced a similar fate.
Mental Health Minister Leesa Vlahos defended the Government’s decision to save the beds, especially in Whyalla.
“There is currently special need in the mid-north due to uncertainty surrounding Arrium and the steel industry,” Ms Vlahos told the Advertiser.
“Even the former Turnbull Government understands there is special need in the region having promised a new Headspace facility for Whyalla in the dying days of the election campaign.”
Ms Vlahos said the Government opened six acute mental health beds in Mount Gambier last year and would continue to look at ways to expand the service.
The Federal Government slashed $20 million in funding, which led to the closure of 44 mental health beds — 34 were in Adelaide.