In a major backflip by Health Minister Chris Picton, the mental health services crisis afflicting the Eyre Peninsula has been resolved following repeated appeals by a regional psychologist.
“I am glad they are finally listening to country people after six weeks of desperate advocacy to the highest levels,” said Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Penny Pratt.
Under pressure in parliament last week, Ms Pratt asked the Minister to commit to a solution that would involve SA Health nominating the affected communities for a Commonwealth exemption, instead he opted to reject the bipartisan approach.
Under even more scrutiny during Budget and Finance Committee on Monday the CEO of SA Health Dr Robyn Lawrence also failed to offer solutions, saying “We shouldn’t be providing primary care. We have done everything we can. I don’t know there is much more we can do.”
Dr Amanda Rogers, who serves adults and children on the Eyre Peninsula, was forced to go public after her letters to State and Federal Labor Governments explaining the crisis fell on deaf ears.
“For six months patients across the Eyre Peninsula and Coober Pedy have had their Medicare rebates rejected as a result of being assessed for a mental health care plan by a locum instead of a permanent GP,” said Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Regional Health Services, Penny Pratt.
“This is due to a dispute between the Federal and State Governments and could have been rectified immediately.
Today the Federal Labor Health Minister has conceded there is a problem and approved a Section 19(2) exemption for communities on the Eyre Peninsula.
Patients should also expect to receive backdated Medicare rebates retrospectively and I will keep pushing for that until it’s paid,” said Ms Pratt.
Ms Pratt said she was pleased that advocacy appears to have prompted a resolution, but disappointed too that it was only Dr Rogers’ public appeal that prompted action from Federal Health Minister Mark Butler or SA Health Minister Chris Picton.
“It is a sad state of affairs when the only time Labor Governments act is when they are exposed in the media.
“In the last two months Dr Rogers has written to the Premier, the Federal Health Minister, three times to the State Health Minister, to the State’s Chief Psychiatrist and to mental health peak bodies seeking support.
“In a final act of disrespect neither Health Minister could find the time to communicate directly to Dr Rogers but instead gave the good news to the media,” said Ms Pratt.
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