Access to Care Denied.

 Lee-Anne Dawson speaks out for locals who will be denied psychological care this Christmas due to cuts to the Better Access program.

Craig Warhurst

GYMPIE'S Lee-Anne Dawson is standing up for those who can't speak for themselves.

Her brave face represents a hidden crisis, brushed under the carpet in the latest round of budget cuts, which slashed funding of a proven mental health program.

The Federal Government announced in May it would save millions of dollars by rationalizing the Better Access program, which provides access to psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists.

Previous arrangements under the Better Access initiative meant patients could access up to 12 sessions of treatment from a psychologist per year by referral from their GP and a maximum of 18 sessions in "exceptional circumstances".

From this month, the yearly maximum allowance of sessions of psychological treatment will be reduced from 18 appointments to 10, with no exceptional circumstances enabling additional sessions.

"Many people with mental illness will be severely disadvantaged by not being able to access quality services through their local GP," a concerned Ms Dawson told The Gympie Times.

"This means that this Christmas when people are at their most vulnerable, about 87,000 Australians will be denied psychological care required for effective treatment."

Australian Psychological Society research indicates the Better Access initiative has been providing care for the very people it was designed to treat - those with high prevalence mental health disorders and significant levels of distress who are being managed by GPs in primary care settings.

This type of treatment also reduces costs of hospital admissions and allows many consumers to return to work, with the associated productivity benefits.

The government's rationale for cutting funding is that affected patients can seek alternative treatment through the Access to Allied Psychological Services program, public mental health facilities or private psychiatrists.

However, these avenues are not currently accessible or equipped to manage the large influx of affected people.

"I think the government is relying on people's silence," Ms Dawson said.

Surce : http://www.gympietimes.com/