OAKESHOTT INDEPENDENT
OAKESHOTT WELCOMES MUCH NEEDED MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING
Nearly $1 million in mental health funding into the Hastings-Maclaey region is certainly welcomed and is much needed support on the ground, Independent MP for Port Macquarie, Robert Oakeshott, said today.
"State funding announced today will see Port Macquarie receive $540,000 under the Recovery and Resource Program for mental health rehabilitation services, said Mr Oakeshott.
"Mental Health services are slowly progressing forward within the region, and there is certainly much more to be done. The 12-bed mental health upgrade of the facilities at Port Macquarie Base Hospital are now complete, so this new funding for community-based recovery and rehabilitation will be of further assistance.
"Unquestionably, however, we have plenty more to do. The 4th pod at the hospital is vital for the broader vision for mental health, as are more community-based services and support. Our staff-to-client ratios in our region, for example, are some of the lowest in the state, and this places enormous stress on all involved, Mr Oakeshott said.
"This only further emphasises the importance of this funding allocation today, and I certainly hope it goes a long way to relieving some of the local pressures within mental health services, Mr Oakeshott said.
31 January 2008