Kingaroy ‘Head to Health’: New mental health service set to open in 2023
A multimillion-dollar cash splash aimed at helping the South Burnett battle a worsening mental health crisis has been announced, but leaders are yet to confirm key details. Here’s what we know:
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A multimillion-dollar funding boost for urgently-needed mental health services has been announced for the South Burnett, but the region’s leaders are yet to determine exactly how the cash splash will be used.
The $3.4 million in funding from the Federal Government will be made available for a new satellite ‘Head to Health’ service based in Kingaroy, but there are no details yet on when or what the program will bring other than an expected start date in May next year.
Darling Downs Primary Health Network CEO Lucille Chalmers said the service would be tailor-made for the community and its needs, meaning the finer details such as the model and how many patients it could provide for were not yet finalised.
“The beauty of these ‘Head to Health’ satellites is that they will be co-designed with the community and service providers,” Ms Chalmers said.
“We need all of the people who contribute to that the health system to be part of the discussion so it all works as effectively as it can do.”
Ms Chalmers could confirm at the announcement on Tuesday that there would be a “bricks and mortar” element to the service, meaning face-to-face consultation and appointments would be part of the program as well as telehealth.
The cash boost will be delivered over four years, equating to $850,000 a year.
The new program will be targeted at adults with “moderate to severe levels of mental illness over the short to medium term”, and Ms Chalmers confirmed more support was coming for the region’s younger residents.
“This will be part of our response to mental health and suicide across the region, but it's not everything,” Ms Chalmers said.
“It’s not a solution for young people. There is other work going on at the moment with a number of the key players in the region.”
PHN’s Louise Litchfield said the network had formed a youth mental health oversight committee looking at bridging the gap for younger patients needing support, with the committee looking to organise a youth hub and support services.
No timeline has been confirmed for any youth-focused programs at this stage.
Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the program would aim to be an entry point for those needing assistance and work to break the stigma associated with mental illness “before (residents) have to get to more acute care”.
The announcement comes only a month after the State Government opened a new $92.5million healthcare facility in Kingaroy, aimed at bringing a city-level of care to the region but was criticised for lack mental health facilities to curb the highest suicide rates in Queensland.
Kingaroy Hospital acting medical superintendent Dr Julianne Dore said patients with more acute needs would still need to leave the region to seek help.
“We have some small scope for mental health admissions within Kingaroy Hospital but most of the more acute, more intense admissions required to transfer down to Toowoomba,” Dr Dore said.
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